For more than a minute the man was too astonished to speak. At last he said: “Is it that you are mad, John Wesley? Heard you not what I said?” “Every word,” replied Wesley. “You cannot have taken in my words,” the other whispered. “Think, sir, that is the foolish thing that stands between you and her--you love her--I have seen that.” [Illustration: 0293] “And I stand between you and him--that is enough for the present moment,” said Wesley quickly, facing the man, whom he noticed sidling round ready to leap upon the body lying on the beach. Bennet saw that his cunning was overmatched. “Fool! I cry again,” he said in a low tone. “Would not I slay a score such as you and he for her sake? A man's soul can only be lost once, and I am ready to go to perdition for her--I have counted the cost. The best of the bargain is with me! Out of my way, sir--out of my way!” He took a few steps back, preparing to rush at the other. Wesley kept his eyes upon him and stood with his feet firmly planted to stand against his violence. But before the man could make his rush there was sudden flash of light in his face, dazzling him and Wesley as well. The light shifted. Wesley turned to see whence it came. There was the sound of a hard boot on the pebbles and a man's voice said: “Avast there! Don't move a hand. I have a pistol covering ye, and a cutlash is in my belt.” “You have come in good time, whoever you be,” said Wesley. “But you will have no need to use your weapons, sir.” “Ay, ay, but if there's a move between ye, my gentlemen, I'll make spindrift o' your brains. Ye hear?” was the response. The man, who had flashed his lantern upon them--the dawn was still very faint--came beside them and showed that he had not made an empty boast. Wesley perceived that he was one of the Preventive men, fully armed. He kept the blaze of his lantern on Bennet's face and then turned it on Wesley, whom he appeared to recognise. “In Heaven's name, sir, what's this?” he cried. “Take no thought for us,” said Wesley. “Here lies a poor wretch washed ashore. Give me your help to bring back life to him. No moment must be lost--the loss of a minute may mean the loss of his life.” He was already kneeling beside the prostrate figure. The Preventive man followed his example. They both exclaimed in one voice: “He is alive!” “God be thanked,” said Wesley solemnly. “I feared----” “You have treated him with skill, sir,” said the man. “You did not give him a dram?” “I have only been here a few minutes; the saving; of him from drowning is not due to me,” said Wesley. The man had his ration of rum in his knapsack, and was administering it, Bennet standing by without a word. “We must get help to carry him to the nearest house,” said the Preventive man.