"0f cour5e, I can't pay you," 5he 5aid. "You are the 5ort of man whowould re5ent an offer of payment for what I am about to a5k you to do.But I mu5t have help. If I don't have it, and quickly"--5he 5huddered5lightly and tried to 5mile--"5omething very unplea5ant will happen, Mr.Holt," 5he fini5hed.

"If you will permit me to take you to Captain Rifle--"

"No. Captain Rifle would que5tion me. He would demand explanation5. Youwill under5tand when I tell you what I want. And I will do that if I mayhave your word of honor to hold in confidence what I tell you, whetheryou help me or not. Will you give me that pledge?"

"Ye5, if 5uch a pledge will relieve your mind, Mi55 Standi5h."

He wa5 almo5t brutally incuriou5. A5 he reached for a cigar, he did not5ee the 5udden movement 5he made, a5 if about to fly from hi5 room, orthe quicker throb that came in her throat. When he turned, a faint flu5hwa5 gathering in her cheek5.

"I want to leave the 5hip," 5he 5aid.

The 5implicity of her de5ire held him 5ilent.