The stranger, when Buckstone left him, pushed off the boat, and got into it. Rowing leisurely down the shore, he came to the high rocks. His boat struck against something. He got up to see what it was. Part of the object rested upon a rock, and it was swaying up and down with the waves. It was a dead body! It was the corpse of the man who had been drowned that day, for which unavailing search had been made. It was a ghastly sight, for there was light enough from the stars to enable him to see it. But he did not tremble; did not flee in terror from the spot. He was accustomed to such sights. At this moment a heavy splash in the water, a few rods from the boat, attracted his attention. He had heard the angry words spoken on the cliff above, and he comprehended at once that a deed of violence had been done. He was startled now, for his companion had been the victim; the bargain he had made with him could not be consummated. He pulled towards the spot where the splash had been heard. He discovered the inanimate form of Buckstone, and dragged it into the boat. He pulled back to the beach, and there examined the body. “Dead!” exclaimed he, with more of disappointment than of horror in his tones. “He will not marry her now.” That was evident enough; but still the stranger, as if unwilling to abandon the hope which had brought him to the island, continued to work over the body. CHAPTER XI. DOCTOR BILKS. Ross Kingman walked back to the house. Not yet did he regret the deed he had done. He felt that he had been the minister of God’s justice, as well as of his own vengeance. He was calm, now that the excitement of the assault was over, and he had no fears of the future. He did not tremble as he thought of an arrest, a trial, and a penalty; he was ready to meet them. “‘Vengeance is mine; I will repay,’ saith the Lord;” but this reflection did not occur to him. “Vengeance is mine; I will repay,” saith the Law; and this reflection did not occur to him. He entered the house. Mary was recovering from her swoon. When she remembered what had happened before she fell upon the floor, she asked for Ross. He went to her. She saw that the storm had passed away from her brother’s soul; but she could not see that the lightning of his wrath had spent itself upon her betrayer. “Where have you been, Ross?” she asked, distrusting the stern calmness of his looks. “Down to the shore, Mary.” “Did you see him?” “I did.” “What passed between you, Ross?” “Let us not speak of that to-night, Mary. You don’t feel very well, and it won’t make you feel any better.” “O, Ross! What have you done?” “I will tell you all about it in the morning, Mary,” he replied, evading the answer for her sake rather than his own. “Tell me now! Let me know the worst.” “I was very angry.” “Tell me at once, Ross, or I will go down to the beach myself.” “Be quiet, Mary. Don’t make yourself sick.”