"No," said I sadly, "she is not my little girl."

"Where is she?" vaguely.

"Regarding the whereabouts of either Anopheles or Helena, at this

moment," said I still sadly, "I am indeed all at sea, as any good

pirate should be."

I tried to jest, but fared ill at it. I felt my face flush at hearing

her name spoken aloud. And sadly true was it that, on that afternoon

and many another, I had found myself, time and again, adream with

Helena's face before me. I saw it now--a face I had not seen these

three years, since the time when first I had come hither with the

purpose of forgetting.

Jimmy was back in his part again, and doing nobly. "Ha!" said he. "So,

fellow, pondering on a fair one, didst not hear the approach of our

good ship, the Sea Rover?"

"In good sooth, I did not," I answered; "and as for these other

matters, I swear on my blade's point I have spoken the truth."

Our conversation languished for the moment. Illusion lay in the

balance. The old melancholy impended above me ominously.




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