"No, I don't," denied the pirate, roundly, but looking uneasy, "and I wish you'd stop harping on that dashed murder, Claudia. Wyke's dead and buried, and his widow has got the cash, so let the whole shoot slide." "How can I when you hinted that you were mixed up in the matter?" "Oh, I only said that to get you to come to Australia with me," said her father, rising with a yawn and stretching himself lazily. "But Lady Wyke says the same thing." Lemby dropped his arms and his mouth shut like a steel trap. "Tell me what that dashed woman said." Claudia repeated Lady Wyke's last words verbatim. "And she said that, although the truth was known to her, it need not be known to others if----" "If what; if what? Don't stop," rapped out the buccaneer, sharply. "If I refused to marry Edwin." "Oh!" Lemby's black eyes grew larger and rounder. "Why did she say that? She doesn't know Craver." "Yes, she does. She saw him at the factory and at Hendon." "What was she doing at Hendon?" "Flying," said Claudia, curtly. "You don't say so. I never thought he'd have the pluck to go up in an aeroplane, my girl. I wish he'd break his dashed neck." "How dare you say that, dad! Edwin is the bravest man in the world, and if he broke his neck I should die. I love him. I love him and she shall never, never take him from me." "She. Who?" "Lady Wyke. She has fallen in love with Edwin." Lemby's face grew evil and lowering. "Then I again say that I wish he'd break his dashed neck," he cried with an oath. "Confound the fellow, he comes up against me at every turn. First, he tried to spoil my plans with regard to your marriage with Wyke, and now he is my rival." "Your rival?" Claudia looked puzzled. "Yes, hang him. I can't get the money for you by will, as everything has been left to that woman. So I've got an idea that she might marry me." "Marry you?" Claudia started up from the chair she was seated in. "I hope you won't be so silly as to marry at your age." "Don't be insolent, my girl," retorted Lemby, for his vanity was hurt. "I'm by no means an old man. There's many a kick left in me yet. Why shouldn't I marry Lady Wyke? She isn't bad-looking, and has the five thousand a year we want so badly." "I don't want it!" cried Claudia, vehemently? "I wouldn't take a penny of it, dad. She's a horrid and dangerous woman. I object to having her for a stepmother, There!" and she stamped after her usual fashion. "Well, then," snarled Lemby, crossly, "you can prevent my having my own way by letting her marry Craver, since it seems he is in love with her." "He isn't in love with her. I never said so. She is in love with him. As to letting her marry him, she shan't! You are cruel to suggest such a thing."