“Get ashore first, of course, and discover the quickest way to return to the city.  None of this shore is deserted, and we’ll find houses back behind that fringe of woods.  I figure we have a big advantage.  We know their real game now, and they are so sure we are both dead, they’ll operate in the open—­walk right into a trap.  By this time McAdams must have discovered some clue as to the whereabouts of Hobart.  With him under arrest, and our story told, some of these fellows will confess, and it will all be over with.”

“But suppose they have already succeeded in their purpose?”

“That can hardly be possible, Natalie.  There hasn’t been time yet.  Certain legal forms must be complied with.  You could only draw a limited amount.”

“Until I reached a certain age; after which there was no restriction.  I attained that age yesterday.”

“And they are aware of it, no doubt.  Yet there must be some legal authorization necessary which may cause delay.  The sooner we reach Chicago, the better.  It is twilight already—­the sun has gone down behind the bluff, but it will require an hour yet for this raft to drift into shallow water.  You swim, you told me?”

“Yes, very well indeed.”

“Shall we risk it then together?  It is not far to the end of the point yonder.”

She looked where he pointed and smiled, glancing back into his questioning eyes.

“Why, that involves no danger at all.  I will do anything to get off this raft.  But if we are going to have light we must start at once.”

The two slipped silently over the edge of the dipping raft, and struck out for the nearest point of land, West loitering slightly behind, afraid lest she might be hampered, and perhaps dragged down by her water-soaked clothes.  A few strokes reassured him as to this, as she struck out vigorously, her every motion exhibiting trained skill.  She glanced back at him, and smiled at his precaution; then faced resolutely toward the distant shore, swimming easily.  He followed closely, timing his strokes to her own, confident, yet watchful still, while behind them, now but a dim speck in the grey sea, wallowed the deserted raft.

The distance was greater than it had seemed, the twilight deceiving their eyes, while their clothing had a tendency to retard progress.  Weakened by lack of food, and buffetted by cross currents, both were decidedly exhausted by the time their lowering feet finally touched bottom.  Natalie staggered, faint and dizzy from the exertion, but West grasped her in his arms before she could fall, and carried her across the sand beach to the foot of the cliff.  She laughed as he laid her gently down in the soft sand, putting up her arms to him like a child, and drawing his face down until their lips met.

“Oh,” she exclaimed breathlessly, “That was glorious, but I hardly had enough strength left to make it.  It—­it was an awfully long way.”