t
this strange person. He was in my cousin's employ. She is entitled to
know what sort of a person he was."

The captain glared angrily at the Duke.

"I am the commander of this vessel, sir. On the high sea, I am in
supreme control, and know how to run the _Mauretania_ without advice
from a bloody Spanish popinjay! I will turn that letter over to the
authorities when we land." The captain spluttered indignantly.

"They will meet the boat as the pilot comes on board. I sent them a
wireless!" cried the Duke.

"How dare you go over my head, in any matter of discipline on this
vessel?" cried the raging commander. "What do you mean by such a thing?
I am the one to warn."

The Duke was embarrassed, for he felt the helplessness of his position
before this legalized tyrant of the deep.

"I've a mind to think all was not well with this unfortunate young man,
from the tone of his letter before he jumped overboard. Not a thing was
missing from his wardrobe, but the pajamas he wore--when he ran out on
the deck. At least, we find no clothes missing! I'll have something to
say to Scotland Yard myself!"

"But the man threatened to shoot me if I spoke to you or any of the
officers about him. Now that he is dead I don't fear him."

"Huh!" snorted the captain. "You look about the type of man who
wouldn't fear the dead. But what about ghosts, young man! What about
_ghosts_? Did you stop to think of ghosts after people are dead?"

This perfectly innocent question of the seafaring, superstitious mind
had a curious effect upon the nobleman.

"_Carramba!_" he muttered between his teeth, and turned away with a
white face. "I wonder what could have been in that letter?"

And the captain glowered at him as he walked nervously down the
companionway to his lonely stateroom, to brood in a state of miserable
apprehension.

Toward dinner-time the pilot boat was sighted. Several men clambered on
board, as well as that official. They sought the captain, and then
visited the Princess. Carlos took good care to be in her suite when
they came.

Rusty, weeping as though his heart were broken, detailed the sad
conversation which he had held the preceding night with his unfortunate
employer.

"Poh Marse Warren! Ah'll nebber see 'im again--until de time for de
ghost!"

At this speech Maria Theresa observed a nervous twitching about the
mouth of her noble kinsman.

Then Rusty became so incoherent in his sorrow that they could get no
satis