ssing of a
hundred serpents. Then there was silence, and the light, describing its
arc, vanished into the water ahead. I gazed anxiously, but it was not
until ten minutes later that we were able to judge of the success of
our venture. Then the little captain touched me on the shoulder,
beaming. He did not trust to his inadequate French, but pointed. I had
already seen the _Sea Queen_ lay to.

A quarter of an hour later I stepped aboard her, and the man who let
down the gangway was Holgate.

"Why, doctor, we thought you were in your cabin. A near shave!" said
he.

"Pretty close," said I; "I thought the hour was six."

"It was changed to five by captain's orders," he replied. "Notice was
sent duly."

"It missed me," I answered cheerfully. "I wasn't at the hotel all the
time."

I passed him and met Legrand, who stared at me. "It's not your ghost,
doctor?"

"No," I said in a lower voice. "But maybe it will come to ghosts yet."

He stroked his short beard, and turned about. Day, I found, was
surveying me from the bridge in the most elegant suit of ducks.

"Now that you have arrived, Dr. Phillimore, perhaps we may be allowed
to proceed," he said sarcastically.

I made no reply, but went aft, where my adventures must be poured into
Lane's ears. Barraclough looked me up and down in his cool, indifferent
way.

"Come aboard, sir?" he said, with a grin.

"Yes," said I with a deliberate drawl. "It cost me just twenty-five
pounds."

"Damned if I wouldn't sooner have stayed and had a good old time," said
Lane. "What's the use of a bally ship?"

"Oh," said I, "being a millionaire I can't tell. If I'd only thought of
it, Lane, I might have followed your advice."

"Didn't you get the notice?" asked Pye.

"No, I was enjoying myself, you see. I'm a careless fellow, but I'm a
modest one also; and I've made too much of a sensation for my taste."

"You're fond of sensations, my good sir," said Sir John, with his
abominable arrogance.

"Well, if you'll allow me, I'll shed all I can of this--that is,
clothes," I replied calmly, and I went below.

When I had had a bath and assumed my yachting costume, I came on deck
again, only to meet Day in a furious temper, as I could tell from his
eyes. I explained the circumstances of my mishap, adding that I had not
received my notice, which was no doubt my fault.

"I certainly might have made more changes at Rio than I did," he said
maliciously, and passed by me.

It was ung