all, slope-shouldered man of fifty-five, bald
at the top of his head. His forehead sloped back from speculative eyes.
"Hi, wake up there, Major!" he bawled, most unexpectedly. "That steward
who came running in that time, you'd think he thought the ship was going
down. What d'y' imagine he wanted, Major?"

Crupp raised his head and stared abstractedly at Vogel. "Huh," repeated
Vogel, "what was he after, Major?"

"Lord knows"--Crupp suddenly smiled--"perhaps it was a tip."

On the table was a siphon of soda and some empty glasses. Crupp selected
one that had not been used, and, carefully gauging, poured about an inch
of soda into the glass. "The ship going down, Mr. Vogel? Heroes then
we'd have to be"--he glanced at each in turn over the rim of his
glass--"whether we liked it or not, wouldn't we? What did you learn that
time you went forward, Cadogan?"

Cadogan also helped himself to some soda-water, rolled it around in his
mouth, swallowed it, and set down his glass. As if he had not heard
Crupp, he drew out his cigar-case and offered it to the soldier.

Crupp nodded his thanks, took a cigar, bit off the end, and, without
looking away from Cadogan, lit up. Vogel took one, but as if by way of
courtesy only, for he indicated no desire to light it. Meade, waving
Cadogan away, lit a cigarette of his own rolling. "Shortening my life
smoking cigars," he explained.

The door opened. It was Lavis. With a pause and a bow, as if to ask
their permission, he took the corner seat on the transom. Cadogan,
waiting until he saw Lavis seated, tendered him the cigar-case. Lavis
shook his head.

"If you're afraid it's my last--" suggested Cadogan.

"It's years since I've smoked."

"That saves me, for it _is_ my last." With the word Cadogan threw the
empty cigar-case on the table.

Meade picked up the case, a gun-metal one, with Cadogan's monogram in
thin, flat silver letters on the side. "You throw that down, Cadogan,
as if you wanted to give it away."

"Did it look that way?" Cadogan took it from Meade's extended hand.
"I've carried that a good many years." He stood up as he finished
speaking, to reach for some matches from the next table. After lighting
up he remained standing.

"Clear, settled weather, and a smooth sea." He was gazing reflectively
through the weather air-port as he spoke.

"Cadogan"--Meade was speaking--"give us some more of your adventures."

Cadogan drew out his watch, also of gun-metal. "And I've car