“It's for some 'work' I did yesterday.”

She was more astonished than ever.

“Work! You?” she exclaimed.

“Yes. But don't worry; I shan't do it again.”

“Land! THAT wouldn't worry me. What sort of work was it?”

“Oh, I—I picked up something adrift in the bay.”

“Um-hm. I see. Somethin' belongin' to the Coltons, I s'pose likely. Why won't you do it again? Ain't they paid you enough?”

Again I laughed. “They have paid me too much,” I said, bitterly. “What I picked up wasn't worth the money.”

[ [!-- H2 anchor --] ]

CHAPTER VII