And he whispered softly, "Winnsome's father!" Arbor Croche! Nathaniel gave an involuntary shudder as he turned with Obadiah.

Croche, chief of sheriffs, scourge of the mainland--the Attila of the Mormon kingdom, whose very name caused the women of the shores to turn white and on whose head the men had secretly set a price in gold! Without knowing it his hand went under his coat.

Obadiah saw the movement and as he advanced to meet the officer of the king he jerked the arm back fiercely.

Half a dozen paces away the chief of sheriffs paused and bowed low.

But the councilor stood erect, as he had stood before the king, smiling and nodding his head.
"Ah, Croche," he greeted, "good morning!" "Good morning, Councilor!" "Sheriff, I would have you meet Captain Nathaniel Plum, master of the sloop _Typhoon_.