Singapore rushed pell-mell after me. My life wasn't worth a pumpkin-seed until I beheld the plank that led to this junk. I had no alternative. Either I must surrender myself to the mob or trust to the good nature of the occupants of this vessel."
"I am the owner," said Wing Lo, "and I am sorry that my faithful servant mistook you for a robber. I am a trader, and rumor has spread throughout the city that my ship is laden with rich silks."
As Wing Lo spoke Dick Varney glanced up quickly. The sight that met his eyes made his heart stop beating; for framed in the doorway was the most beautiful girl he had ever beheld. She was dressed in black, which made the ivory whiteness of her face more pronounced. Her eyes were dark and her lips were as red as roses. Dick Varney had never cared much about women until that moment. They had been insignificant things in his cosmos. Now his cosmos had suffered an earthquake. All his ideas had changed. Perhaps it was the exotic circumstances under which he beheld her that made his pulse go galloping at a frightful speed. Only the light from the moon-lantern illuminated the room. It cast a strange radiance over everything. The girl stepped forward and held out her hand.
"I have been studying your face," she said slowly, "and I believe I can trust you. I heard you say you were an American. I am an American, too. It is rather good to meet one of my countrymen on this old ship in Singapore."
Dick grasped her hand mechanically. What was that verse in the old Chinese poem by Lai Tai Po? "She was of a loveliness to overthrow kingdoms." The old poet must have been thinking of just such a girl when he wrote that immortal line. Whether he muttered anything by way of greeting, Dick never knew. He was dazzled by the beauty of her. Her loveliness was as intoxicating as old wine.
"I am in great trouble," she whispered softly and her voice seemed to tremble. "Will you help me?"
"Nothing would make me happier," he said huskily. "From this moment forth I am your slave. Bondage with you would be better than kingship with any other woman."
"Are you married?" she asked abruptly.
"No," he replied quickly. "I guess all my life I've been waiting for you."
She smiled wanly. "That is good," said she. She seemed unable to go on. Sudden agitation seized her and she sank upon a rude bench.
"Life is a maze," she faltered. "Why must we all struggle through it blindfolded? Why is there so little happiness in the world?"
"You are in trouble," said he. "Let me help you."
"Yes," she admitted. "I am. I'm not afraid, but it rather gets on my nerves. In all of Singapore Wing Lo is the only one I can trust. That is why I am hiding on his boat."
"Confide in me," suggested Dick. "Maybe I can help you."
She rose to her feet and faced him. "You can," she said emphatically. "In spite of everything I will not fail. My name is Dolores Cravat. No Cravat has ever been able to accept defeat. I want you to marry me tomorrow morning as early as it can be arranged. But I must warn you beforehand, marriage to me will not bring you happiness. It will plunge you into extreme danger. It will be a marriage of convenience only. When the ceremony is over you must leave me. I shall pay you well for any inconvenience the affair may cause you."
Dick was speechless. Marry her?
