had scarcely knocked at the door before she
opened it. From the pallor of her face he guessed that she knew
something of what was happening. This proved to be so; for Browne
afterwards discovered that the cruiser had all the time been plainly
visible from her port-hole.

"I have just seen a boat pass," she said. "Have they come to search
the yacht?"

"Yes," answered Browne. "You need not be afraid, however; they will
not find him. He is hidden in a place where they would never think of
looking; and, to make assurance doubly sure, MacAndrew is with him."

"But what was that noise I heard just now? It sounded as if you were
struggling with some one, and trying to drag him down into the saloon."

Browne informed her in a few brief words of what had occurred, and bade
her, in case she should be questioned, keep up the fiction that Maas
was seriously ill. Then, bidding her inform Madame Bernstein of what
was going on, he left her and returned to the deck. Simultaneously
with his arrival the Russian officer made his appearance at the
gangway. He was a tall, handsome man of about thirty years of age.
Having reached the deck, he looked about him as if he scarcely knew
whom to address; then, seeing that the captain looked to Browne as if
for instructions, he saluted him, and said in French:--

"Your pardon, monsieur, but this is the yacht _Lotus Blossom_, is it
not?"

"It is," replied Browne, "and I am the owner. What can I have the
pleasure of doing for you? You find us in rather a fix. We have had a
break-down in the engine-room, and, as you can see for yourself, it has
left us in a by no means pleasant position."

"I have to present the compliments of my captain to you, and to request
that you will permit me to overhaul your vessel."

"To overhaul my vessel!" cried Browne. "Surely that is a very curious
request For what reason do you wish to inspect her?"

"I regret to say that we have heard that an attempt is being made to
rescue an escaped convict from the island yonder. From information
received, it is believed he is on board your vessel."

"A runaway convict on board my yacht?" exclaimed Browne in a tone that
suggested complete surprise. "You must excuse me if I do not
understand you. You surely do not suppose that I make it my business
to go about the world, assisting convicts to escape from captivity?"

"That is no business of mine," answered the officer. "All I have to do
is to obey my ins