ughts, I saw the wisdom
of abandoning both these courses.

Nor for the same reason did I feel inclined to board the steamer, which
I could see lying out in the harbour, until darkness had fallen. I
ascertained, however, that she was due to sail at midnight, and that the
mails were already being got aboard.

Almost exactly as eight o'clock was striking, I mounted the gangway, and
strolled down the promenade deck to the first saloon entrance; then
calling a steward to my assistance, I had my baggage conveyed to my
cabin, where I set to work arranging my little knicknacks, and making
myself comfortable for the voyage that lay before us. So far I had seen
nothing of my friends, and, on making inquiries, I discovered that they
had not yet come aboard. Indeed, they did not do so until the last boat
had discharged its burden at the gangway. Then I met Lord Beckenham on
the promenade deck, and unaffected was the young man's delight at seeing
me.

"Mr. Hatteras," he cried, running forward to greet me with out-stretched
hand, "this was all that was wanting to make my happiness complete. I
_am_ glad to see you. I hope your cabin is near ours."

"I'm on the port side just abaft the pantry," I answered, shaking him by
the hand. "But tell me about yourself. I expect you had a pleasant
journey across the Continent."

"Delightful!" was his reply. "We stayed a day in Paris, and another in
Rome, and since we have been here we have been rushing about seeing
everything, like a regulation pair of British tourists."

At this moment Mr. Baxter, who had been looking after the luggage, I
suppose, made his appearance, and greeted me with more cordiality than I
had expected him to show. To my intense surprise, however, he allowed no
sign of astonishment to escape him at my having joined the boat after
all. But a few minutes later, as we were approaching the companion
steps, he said:--"I understood from his lordship, Mr. Hatteras, that you
were to embark at Plymouth; was I mistaken, therefore, when I thought I
saw you coming off with your luggage this evening?"

"No, you were not mistaken," I answered, being able now to account for
this lack of surprise. "I came across the Continent like yourselves, and
only joined the vessel a couple of hours ago."

Here the Marquis chimed in, and diverted the conversation into another
channel.

"Where is everybody?" he asked, when Mr. Baxter had left us and gone
below. "There are a lot of names on the