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"Just like him," said Elsa in that tone of bitter hatred that

Code had heard her use before when speaking of Burns. "He must

have gone aboard the May and taken it, because you prized it so

much. A fine revenge!"

"Yes, but we don't do those things in Freekirk Head, Elsa. You

know that. We don't steal from one another's trawl-lines, and we

don't prowl about other men's schooners. I can't understand his

doing a thing like that."

"Perhaps not, but if not, explain how he got it."

"You're right," Code admitted after a moment's thought; "that's

the only way."

They were silent for a while, pondering over this new development

and trying to discover where it might lead. Under sharp commands

the crew brought the schooner about on the starboard tack, for

the wind was on the bow, and set a staysail between the fore and

main masts. The splendid ship seemed to skim over the surface of

the sea, touching only the tops of the waves.