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186 his duty would cut very deep. She had scarcely resented what that duty was leading him to do. Her own recognition of the word explained the matter for her, and she did not think of the ways in which he had come by his knowledge.

"I cannot tell you," she said. "I promised."

"You will break that promise. I came here to see that you do. Cannot you understand that it is necessary for your safety that you should?"

Jennifer leaned back and her lips closed. Dick looked at her with his eyes darkening. There might be trouble for himself later, but there was trouble for Jennifer now. She was so little and white, and his love for her was as great as his anger against her. It would be greater in a little while, when he had time to be thankful for the interpretation of the Jennifer of the canoe. But through the long hours in the dinghy his terror had been lest Robison had escaped; lest Andree had sent him word in some way. Fear of that disgrace had half-maddened him, and he could not easily forgive the cause.

Then he leaned forward, keeping his eyes on her; and he questioned her over and over in various ways; steadily, mercilessly. His voice seemed a great hammer beating on her brain; on her heart. A cry broke from her at last.

"Don't. Oh, don't. I can't bear it," she cried.

"Where is he?" said Dick, and put his hand on her arm when she would have risen.

"I can't 1 can't tell you"

"Where is he?"

"Ostop"

"Where is he?"

Then the tears came, and she flung herself sideways, hiding her face in the arm of the chair. Dick sprang up, stooping over her.

"For God's sake quit torturing us both," he said thickly. "Don't you understand that I've got to make you?"

"You can't make me," she sobbed. "You can't. You can't."

He was coming to believe it. Such a resolute will in this small creature had been beyond his understanding.