His name is Cosmo Fletcher." "A friend ?" asked the big man.
Hilary coloured a little.
"Well," she said half-reluctantly, "I suppose one would call him that." * * * * * "I believe you're in love with Culver's half-breed American," said Cosmo Fletcher brutally, nearly three weeks later.

He had just been rejected finally and emphatically by the girl who faced him in the stern of his skiff.
She was very pale, but her eyes were full of resolution as they met his.
"That," she said, "is no business of yours.

Please take me back!" He looked as if he would have liked to refuse, but her steadfast eyes compelled him.

Sullenly he turned the boat.
Dead silence reigned between them till, as they rounded a bend in the river and came within sight of the house-boat, Fletcher, glancing over his shoulder, caught sight of a big figure seated on the deck.
Then he turned to the girl with a sneer: "It might interest Jack Merrivale to hear of this pretty little romance of yours," he said.
The colour flamed in her cheeks.
"Tell him then!" she said defiantly.
"I think I must," said Fletcher.

"He and I are such old friends." He waited for her to tell him that it was on his account that they had quarrelled, but she would not so far gratify him, maintaining a stubborn silence till they drew alongside.