Heldstrom gave her a piercing look. "Und you say it vas for that he has followed us? For that alone?" The crimson came into Hermione's cheeks, but her eyes never wavered from his. "Until we met, he and I, on the beach, that morning at Shoal Harbour. Since then it has been partly ... for me..." "Ho!" growled Heldstrom. "Because of you! Den vy has he been sending sickening werses to Cécile?" "He got our names mixed and thought _I_ was Cécile. Did he tell you that he had been sending verses to Cécile?" "No. It vas your fadder." "And Applebo told you this morning that he was your son?" asked Hermione, a little breathlessly. "I haf suspected. Since I saw him in der vater I haf been t'inking a great deal. His face vas always before my eyes; den last night I had a dr'ream of der voman who spoiled my life, und her face was der face of dis yoong man. I vill show you her photograph; I haf not looked at it myself since more dan twenty years." He rose massively from the chest, unlocked it, and rummaged in the many little drawers and lockers within. Presently he handed a small package to Hermione. She unfastened the ribbon which secured the faded yellow paper, and, as the portrait came to light, Hermione's blue eyes opened very wide. The face was that of a very beautiful and unusual-looking woman, but what startled the girl was the extraordinary resemblance to Applebo. There were the same wide forehead, flat cheeks, and straight nose, the mouth slightly pushed out, full-lipped but strong, while the expression was that of Applebo when he assumed his impassive, blinking pose. "Were her eyes the same amber colour?" Hermione asked, studying the photograph intently. "Like der eyes of a cat. Dey called her 'der tigress,' und she vas von, too...." His tone changed, brusquely. "How many times haf you spoken to dis yoong man?" he demanded. "Only twice. At Shoal Harbour and this morning." Hermione handed back the portrait. "That is unmistakable, isn't it? Oh, Uncle Chris! Why are you not happy? Isn't it comforting...?" "Vat did he say to you dis morning?" Heldstrom interrupted, curtly. "First I asked him to stop following us, which he promised to do. Then he told me about his being your son, and I offered to tell you myself ... because I thought that it might be easier for you..." "What did he tell you about yourself, Hermione?" Heldstrom's eyes were watching her steadily. Hermione raised her head, proudly. "He told me that he loved me." Heldstrom, who was standing, thrust his hands into his side pockets and looked at her keenly. "I t'ought so! Und how many times you haf met? Twice! Und he tells you that he loves you! Der scoundrel!" "You are not very flattering to me..." "No! I am not! Und dis fella is! Und you like it!"