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194 little; and you will want all your strength for the work that is before us."

Like a child he did as he was told, and then sank back into his chair. I helped myself to a glass and then went across to the hearthrug and stood before him.

"Now," I said, "we must think this out from the very beginning, and to do that we must consider every detail. Have you any objection to answering my questions?"

"Ask any questions you like, Mr. Hatteras," he replied, "and I will answer them."

"In the first place, then, how soon after his arrival in the colony did your daughter get to know this sham Beckenham?"

"Three days," he answered.

"At a dance, dinner party, picnic, or what?"

"At none of these things. The young man, it appears, had seen my daughter in the street, and being struck with her beauty asked one of the aides-de-camp at Government House, with whom we were on intimate terms, to bring him to call. At the time, I remember, I thought it a particularly friendly action on his part."

"I don't doubt it," I answered. Well that I think should tell us one thing."

"And that is?"

"That his instructions were to get to know your daughter without delay."

"But what could his reason have been do you think?"

"Ah, that I cannot tell you just yet. Now you must pardon what I am going to say, but do you think he was serious in his intentions regarding Phyllis—I mean your daughter?"

"Perfectly, as far as I could tell. His desire, he