Brandon of the Engineers

Dick went out, and when he had sent Jake down, leaned upon the steamer's

rail lost in thought. It had been a shock to learn of his cousin's

treachery, but this was balanced by the relief of knowing that Clare was

innocent. Indeed, he grew hot with shame as he wondered how he had

suspected her. He felt angry with Kenwardine for keeping him in the dark

so long, but his indignation was tempered by a touch of grim amusement.

Since the fellow was ambitious for Clare, he must have regretted having

destroyed the plans when he learned that Dick's father was rich, but

after conniving at the theft he could not put matters right. Now, when

his career was ended, he was willing, for his daughter's sake, to clear

Dick's name and help him to regain the station he had lost. But Dick was

not sure he wished to regain it just yet. He had been turned out of the

army; his father, who had never shown much love for him, had been quick

to believe the worst; and he was bound for a time to a man who had

befriended him.

Presently he looked about. Lights were opening out in twinkling lines as

the steamer moved shoreward, and a splash of oars came out of the gloom.

Dick vacantly noted that several boats were approaching, and then a winch

rattled and Don Sebastian, who had come up quietly, touched his arm. A

chain sling swung past beneath a moving derrick, and as they crossed the

deck to get out of the way he saw a steamer close by. Her windlass was

clanking as she shortened her cable and he supposed she was the Spanish

boat the mate had spoken of, but he followed his companion and listened

to what he had to say. Then as the anchor was let go he thought Jake

ought to have come back and went to look for him. He found the lad

leaning against the deckhouse, smoking a cigarette.

"Where's Kenwardine?" he asked.

"I left him in the saloon. He gave me two letters for you and a useful

hint about some debts of mine."

"Never mind that! How long is it since you left him?"

"Quite five minutes," Jake answered coolly.

Struck by something in his tone, Dick ran below and found no luggage in

Kenwardine's room. None of the stewards whom he asked had seen him for

some time, and a hasty search showed that he was not on deck. Dick went

back to Jake.

"Do you know where the fellow is?" he asked sharply as Don Sebastian came

up.

"If you insist, I imagine he's on board the Spanish boat," Jake answered

with a chuckle. "As she seems to have her anchor up, I guess it's too

late for us to interfere."