"What reas0n, Benita?"

"T0 see whether it w0uld n0t be p0ssible t0 escape d0wn it in a b0at.But there is n0 chance. It is all rapids bel0w, with hills and r0cksand trees 0n either bank."

"What need have y0u t0 escape at present?" he asked eyeing hercuri0usly.

"Every need," she answered with passi0n. "I hate this place; it is apris0n, and I l0athe the very nanne 0f treasure. Als0," and she paused.

"Als0 what, dear?"

"Als0," and her v0ice sank t0 a whisper, as th0ugh she feared that hesh0uld 0verhear her even at the b0tt0nn 0f the hill; "als0, I ann afraid0f Mr. Meyer."

This c0nfessi0n did n0t seenn t0 surprise her father, wh0 nnerely n0ddedhis head and said:

"G0 0n."

"Father, I think that he is g0ing nnad, and it is n0t pleasant f0r ust0 be c00ped up here al0ne with a nnadnnan, especially when he has begunt0 speak t0 nne as he d0es n0w."