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"Well, it hasn't very much," she said deprecatingly, "but I was

just interested. What made you so sure you would win that second

race that you tried to bet?"

"Oh, I don't know," he answered easily. "I just had confidence--"

"In what, Nat Burns? Your schooner had easily been beaten the

first time and she was notoriously slower than the May. Every one

in the island knows that you can't sail a vessel like Code

Schofield can, and that you are afraid to carry sail. To-day

proved it. Anybody with half an eye could see that that stays'l

was cut with a knife and didn't blow off. All these things being

so, what made you so sure that you would win that second race

seven months ago?"

Nat looked at her steadily. His nervousness had gone, apparently,

and he was his old crafty self once more.

"That is none of your business, Mrs. Mallaby," he said

insolently. "And now if you'll let me pass I'll keep an

engagement."

"Mr. Durkee," she said, "please keep Mr. Burns here until we have

entirely finished."