ews and social gossip of the morning paper, he had
rejoined his friends. Sitting beside his niece, he participated, at
intervals, in the conversation, his manner becoming more and more
distant until, at last, it vanished altogether. To all who cared to see,
it was plain that this stately and usually complacent gentleman was
losing interest in external matters.

He seemed annoyed when a steward, about one o'clock, appeared on deck
and rang a bell, announcing dinner. At this summons Patrick Boyd took
out his watch and was obviously astonished at the flight of time.

"I had forgotten my friend," he exclaimed, and he hurried below.

At the dinner-table Elinor Marshall sat between her confessor and her
uncle, the latter clinging bravely to his post through the soup and
fish. Then, after watching for a moment the various viands as they rose
and fell with the heaving of the ship, accompanied, as it seemed to him,
by a similar rising and sinking of his own digestive apparatus, he
remarked, with some severity, that he felt no hunger. And he left the
table with dignity, yet with a certain expedition. As the uncle
disappeared, Patrick Boyd came in and took a seat opposite the lady and
the priest.

"How did you find your friend?" Father Burke inquired.

"Discouraged."

"Poor fellow! Nothing serious, I hope."

"No. But he doesn't quite understand this starting right off again on
another voyage."

"Is he--er--is his mind affected?"

This question appeared to surprise Captain Boyd. "No. But they have
fastened him to a windlass, near the engine-room, and he resents it."

This reply merely intensified the curiosity of the questioner.

"Did you say they have fastened him?"

"Yes. It seems to be a rule of the boat."

The young lady also opened her eyes. After a pause, she inquired, in a
low voice, "Is he dangerous?"

"No, indeed! Not at all!"

"Then why tie him?"

"It is a rule of the boat, as I said."

"A rule of the boat to tie passengers?"

At this question Pats smiled, for a light broke in upon him. "My friend
is a dog. I thought I told you."

"A dog!" and she seemed to find diversion in the seriousness with which
Father Burke accepted the explanation. "I love dogs. Why shouldn't I go
down and see him?"

"The honor would be appreciated."

"I will go after dinner. What sort of a dog is he?"

"A setter."

"And what is his name?"

Pats hesitated. "Do you really wish to know?"

"Of course!"

"Well, his