"Yes," Ichabod retorted; "an' I owe them a heap, too. It's that girl that started the whole change in my way o' thinkin'. She caused me to decide to take on a fambly an' happiness. I don't much like what ye says 'bout that-thar five thousand, though. Ye see, we folks down this way don't go round savin' lives fer pay--that is 'ceptin' the coast-guard boys. What we does is fer the feelin's that possess us. Why, do ye know, if thar's airy man in Cartaret that I didn't think'd do what I did, an' more, in this scrape, I'd head a passel o' men to run him clean into the swamps fer keeps!" "It's a legally posted reward offered for the discovery of Ethel Marion," Van Dusen explained, "and there is no question as to its being rightfully yours. You need have no scruple about taking it. But Roy and his sweetheart will convince you as to that, even if I can't." Ichabod appeared dubious for the moment. Then his face wrinkled in a grin, for he had found a method whereby to satisfy his conscience in the matter. "Wall," he declared judicially, "I has lost consider'ble time from my fishin'." Then his enthusiasm overcame his air of reticence. "Whoopee! Five-thousand dollars! I cal'late that sure will cut out them pre-nuptals--whatever they be." CHAPTER XXIV A GENTLEMAN'S PROMISE Roy and Ethel stood by the rail on the yacht's deck as the tender drew alongside. They were filled with anxiety over the results of the search upon the shore. Dismay touched them when they saw the cap that Van Dusen carried in his hand as they stepped forward. Ethel's cheek blanched, but she asked no question; only stood waiting while the detective stepped aside with Roy and gave him Garnet's note. The young man hastily read the message. For a moment, he mused as if in doubt concerning its significance; then he asked: "Do you think that he made the crossing in safety?" "I think not," was the reply. "Captain Ichabod went through the channel to the other side. He looked everywhere for signs of Garnet's having continued on up the beach, but the search was fruitless. I have an idea that the Doctor, in his weakened condition, was unable to breast the tide, and so was carried out to sea. To my mind, it seems, perhaps, the best ending for that drug-crazed man. At the same time, I confess I'm heartily sorry for the fellow. Had there been any way to get him clear of the charges it would have been necessary for him to face, I for one would have been willing to go to any length to save him, to get him away to some place where he was not known and could begin life anew." Roy showed the note to Ethel, and explained how the evidence seemed to indicate that the physician was dead. The girl listened quietly, but when her lover had made an end, she turned quickly and went away to her stateroom, to be alone with her grief.