m would be to make him suspect! I called
a steward.

"Take this card up to Monsieur Martigny," I said, "in 375, and ask if
he is well enough to see me."

As he hurried away, a sudden doubt seized me; horrified at my
hardihood, I opened my mouth to call him back. But I did not call:
instead, I sank back into my chair and stared out across the water.
Had I done well? Was it wise to tempt Providence? Would I prove a
match for my enemy? The next half hour would tell. Perhaps he would
not see me; he could plead illness; he might be really too ill.

"Monsieur Martigny," said the steward's voice at my elbow, "answers
that he will be most pleased to see Monsieur Lester at once."

CHAPTER XVI

I Beard the Lion

Martigny was lying back in his berth, smoking a cigarette, and, as I
entered, he motioned me to a seat on the locker against the wall.

"It was most kind of you to come," he said, with his old smile.

"It was only by accident I learned you were on board," I explained, as
I sat down. "You're getting better?"

"I believe so; though this physician is--what you call--an
alarmist--most of them are, indeed; the more desperate the illness,
the more renowned the cure! Is it not so? He has even forbidden me
cigarettes, but I prefer to die than to do without them. Will you not
have one?" and he motioned to the pile that lay beside him.

"Thank you," I said, selected one, and lighted it. "Your cigarettes
are not to be resisted. But if you are so ill, why did you attempt
the voyage? Was it not imprudent?"

"A sudden call of business," he explained airily; "unexpected
but--what you call--imperative. Besides, this bed is the same as any
other. You see, I have a week of rest."

"The doctor--it was he who mentioned your name to me--it was not on
the sailing-list----"

"No." He was looking at me sharply. "I came on board at the last
moment--the need was ver' sudden, as I have said. I had not time to
engage a stateroom."

"That explains it. Well, the doctor told me that you were bed-fast."

"Yes--since the voyage began I have not left it. I shall not arise
until we reach Havre to-morrow."

I watched him as he went through the familiar motion of lighting a
second cigarette from the first one. In the half-light of the cabin,
I had not at first perceived how ill he looked; now, I saw the dark
patches under the eyes, the livid and flabby face, the shaking hand.
And for the first time, with a little shock, I realize