Won't you let me help to atone for my error by being
your friend? I can assure you that you will need one whom
you can trust amongst this shipload of scoundrels."
"Who am I to believe?" cried the girl. "Mr. Divine assures
me that he, too, has been forced into this affair, but by threats
of death rather than deception."
The expression on Mr. Theriere's face was eloquent of
sarcastic incredulity.
"How about the note of introduction that I carried to your
father from Mr. Divine?" asked Theriere.
"He says that he was compelled to write it at the point of a
revolver," replied the girl.
"Come with me, Miss Harding," said the officer. "I think
that I may be able to convince you that Mr. Divine is not on
any such bad terms with Skipper Simms as would be the case
were his story to you true."
As he spoke he started toward the companionway leading
to the officers' cabins. Barbara Harding hesitated at the top of
the stairway.
"Have no fear, Miss Harding," Theriere reassured her.
"Remember that I am your friend and that I am merely attempting
to prove it to your entire satisfaction. You owe it to
yourself to discover as soon as possible who your friends are
aboard this ship, and who your enemies."
"Very well," said the girl.
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