tank," answered the man at the table after just a moment of hesitation.
"Distances at this time o' night!"
"You heard what I said, didn't you!" cried the defiant McKinnon.
The enraged officer let his glance wander to the woman, who had backed away a little, as near to the door as possible. McKinnon did not move, but he was thinking both hard and fast. He had already seen the look on the other man's face.
"What's this woman doing here?" demanded Captain Yandel.
The long-limbed operator shot up out of his chair angrily at the barb in that thunderous voice. He kept telling himself to keep cool. It was plainly to be seen that he was still untutored in accepting insolence without protest. Yet still again the challenge was flung at him.
"What's this woman doing in this station at this time o night?"
McKinnon turned slowly about.
"Shall I tell him?" he asked. His voice was so quiet and seemingly self-contained that the woman's first blind panic of fear slipped away from her.
"Yes, tell him," she answered.
The captain strode into the cabin. He stood behind Alicia Boynton, a little to one side; Mc-
