robably the
first and last Englishman who has ever blessed a German Submarine.

She recovered consciousness in Armitage's cabin, with the elderly lady
who had sung hymns in the boat in attendance; she lay wrapped in
blankets in the bunk, with hot-water bottles in great profusion all
round her, and felt deliciously drowsy and comfortable. But with
returning consciousness some corner of discomfort obtruded itself into
her mind. It grew more definite and uncomfortable. With her eyes
still closed Cecily wriggled faintly and plucked at an unfamiliar
garment.

Then, slowly, she opened her eyes very wide. "What have I got on?" she
asked in severe tones.

"My dear," said the elderly lady, "pyjamas! There was nothing else.
They belong to the officer who owns this cabin. I think the name was
Armitage. And the doctor said----"

Cecily groaned. A knock sounded, and the ship's doctor entered
carrying something in a medicine glass.

"Well," he asked brusquely, "how are we?"

"Better, thanks," said Cecily faintly.

"That's right. Drink this and close your eyes again."

Cecily drank obediently and fell asleep. Twenty-four hours later the
Cruiser was moving slowly up a river to her berth alongside a wharf.
Cecily, clothed and in her right mind, stood aft in a deserted spot by
the ensign-staff and stared at the dingy warehouses and quaysides
ashore as they slid past.

Armitage came across the deck towards her; Cecily saw him coming and
took a long breath. Then, woman-like, she spoke first:

"I haven't had an opportunity to thank you yet," she said prettily,
"for giving up your cabin to me--and--and all your kindness."

Armitage stood squarely in front of her, a big, kindly man who was
going to be badly hurt and more than half expected it.

"There is a curious fatality about all this," he said. "It was no
kindness of either yours or mine." He glanced over her head at the
rapidly approaching wharf ahead and then at her face.

"For eighteen months," he said, speaking rather quickly, "I've been
like the prophet Jonah--looking for a sign. I looked to you for it,
Miss Cecily," he said, "and I can't truthfully say it showed itself in
a single word or look or gesture." He took a deep breath. "I'm not
going to let you tell me I'm labouring under any misapprehensions. But
this"--he made a little comprehensive gesture--"this is too much like
the hand of Fate to disregard. Miss Cecily," he said, "little Miss
Cec