Ralph turned to Degger again. The fellow was recovering a measure of his usual confidence. He put on a somewhat uncertain smile. "If you all think the trouble is over, I don’t know but I might go back with you after all." "I _do_ know that you won’t!" Ralph retorted. "You get into that skiff, Degger, when Bassett comes out for you." "Say! who are you bullying, I’d like to know?" "I’m telling you. I did pick you out of the sea, but I don’t have to keep you aboard here any longer than I wish to. You’ll go ashore now." "Oh, yes! That is the kind of fellow you are," snarled Degger. "You’ve had it in for me ever since I borrowed some of your loose change back there at Cambridge. I haven’t forgotten it—don’t think!" "I thought you had," was Ralph’s mild sarcasm. That did not even cause Conway Degger to blush. He still spoke heatedly. "I presume you expect me to fall down and worship you for saving my life." "Not _you_," sighed Ralph. "Gratitude I am sure is not your besetting sin." "Oh, you’re only jealous," sneered the other. "Anybody can see that. And you think you’ll have a better time alone with Lorva aboard than you would if I went back to the light with you." Ralph started for him. Then he halted, holding himself in. If there was a fight here on board the motor-boat Lorna must surely be aware of it. He bent on Conway Degger a look that warned him that he had gone far enough. "I know just the sort of scamp you are, Degger," he said in a low voice. "I should not have let you hang around as you have. Your rep at college was enough." "How about your own?" sneered Degger. "There was that Cora Devine—how about _her_?" "Well, how about her?" rejoined Ralph, with unmoved countenance. "You try to interfere in my affairs," Degger said furiously, "and somebody will hear all about that Devine girl—believe me!" "I don’t just get you, Degger," Ralph returned calmly. "But if for no other reason, that threat would make me promise to interfere—and to some purpose." "You——" "Listen!" commanded Ralph, with a gesture that silenced the oath on Degger’s lips. "When Zeke Bassett takes you as far as the Twin Rocks Light, you pack your grip and go on with him to Clinkerport. I don’t care how far you travel beyond Clinkerport. But if you are still at the Light when I get back there, I’ll thrash you out of your skin! Believe me, Degger, I mean it. I hope you will be unwise enough to wait for me at the Light. You’ll be glad enough to go after I give you what you are suffering for." He turned to catch the loop of the painter Bassett tossed him, and drew the skiff alongside the motorboat. Degger did not even hesitate. He stepped down into the small boat, shaking with the cold, if not with fear. He scorned Ralph’s pilot-coat. The surfman grinned up at Ralph, nodded, and pulled back to the strand. Ralph Endicott had taken the bit in his teeth. He was determined to run certain matters his way from this time on!