Lizette looked at her mistress for orders. "Miss Nita, you surely won't let the old hag escape?" she cried. "Yes, open the door," Nita cried faintly, shudderingly. "But, Miss Nita----" "Let the woman go!" Nita repeated, and the maid reluctantly obeyed. Then Nita said faintly: "Lizette, I am already your debtor for my life, and indeed you will find me grateful. Do me one more kindness. Keep the secret of this terrible adventure locked forever in your breast unless I give you leave to speak." "Oh, Miss Nita, is it best to shield that old wretch from justice? She may come back again and carry off all your gold, and kill you, too." "No, Lizette, she has sworn never to attempt it again, and you must keep it a secret. Gather up the gold, put it back in the chest, and lock it carefully away. But first take some for yourself." "Oh, Miss Nita, I don't want any reward for saving your life." "But I insist," murmured Nita sweetly. "Take five hundred dollars." She saw the young woman's eyes grow suddenly eager. "God bless you, Miss Nita. It means so much to me--oh, you can't think the good I can do with just two hundred dollars. I will take that much, no more, if you please, and, dear Miss Nita, I'll love you with every drop of my heart's blood to the end of my life for this. Oh, I will tell you all some day, my lady," and Lizette, sobbing like a little child, kissed Nita's white hand. Then she locked and carefully put away the chest of gold. "For no one else must find out that you have such a treasure in this room," she said cautiously. Then Nita sighed wearily: "Oh, Lizette, I feel so tired and ill. My arms ache with pain, my whole body is stiff and sore. I should like to go to sleep, but first you must go down-stairs and bring me news of Dorian Mountcastle--if he is dead or alive, for surely the doctor must have come by this time." CHAPTER V. A PLOT TO WIN A LOVER. Mrs. Courtney, sitting at a desk in her own room the morning after the arrival at Pirate Beach, was busy writing a letter to her daughter, who had been absent from New York when Miser Farnham had called at her lodgings and electrified her with the welcome offer to become the chaperon of his beautiful ward. After acquainting her daughter with these facts and the later ones of the night's happenings, Mrs. Courtney added: