The girl did not pretend to misunderstand him. “It cannot be,” she murmured, and there was a world of sadness in her tones.
“Why not? Is it because you don’t care for me?”
“No, not that!”
“Then——”
The girl flung up her arms. “Oh!” she cried. “Can’t you understand? I shall never marry, or, if I do, it will be at the behest of the Brotherhood. I shall marry some one who is helping to set Russia free. Perhaps—perhaps I may buy some part of her freedom with the only pawn I possess—myself. I am not free—I never will be free till Russia is.”
Caruth drew a long breath. “You mean to sell yourself?” he questioned gently.
The girl flushed redly. “It is for the people,” she pleaded.
“Then”—Caruth’s voice rang out—“then sell yourself to me. I can take risks as well as another. I am rich, young, strong. All that I have is at your service. Let me help. Tell me what to do, and it shall be done. I’ll drag this Orkney up from the sea. If you are for sale, let me bid! And if I pay the price—if I win back the gold from the sea—then let me claim my reward.”
But the girl shook her head. “I will not!” she cried. “I was wrong to let you become involved in this. But I did not know you then. Now that I do know you I shall not let you take chances such as these.”
“I take them very willingly.”