ainly as the notes
died away.

I could not answer; but she may have read an answer in my eyes. She
passed me just as the singer broke into something new, and entered the
music gallery. A shaft of light struck out her figure boldly. I walked
round to the second door at the head of the stairs. Right away in the
corner was Mademoiselle, and by her Sir John Barraclough lounged on the
sofa, stroking his moustache uneasily. But my eyes lingered on the two
not at all, for they were drawn forthwith to another sight which filled
me with astonishment. The barriers had been removed from several of the
windows, the windows themselves were open, and I could discern the
figures of men gathered without on the deck.

With an exclamation I ran forward, interrupting the mellifluous course
of Schubert's Serenade, and Barraclough started to his feet.

"What is it?" he asked abruptly.

Mademoiselle turned on her stool and regarded me with curiosity, and
behind the Princess was approaching slowly.

"The windows, man!" said I.

Mademoiselle burst into laughter. "It was so dark," she said prettily,
"I could not see plainly. I must always have light when I play. And I
made Sir John open them."

Barraclough fidgeted, but turned a cold face on me.

"What's all the fuss about?" he asked surlily.

I pointed to the figures which we could see through the open windows.

"Well, that's my business," he said shortly. "I'm in command, and I'm
not a fool." As he spoke he fingered his revolver.

"Oh, do not be afraid. It is all right," said Mademoiselle cheerfully.
"See, we will have more open. I will play them something. They are
listening to my music. It will soothe them."

She cast a look at Sir John from her laughing dark eyes, and let her
hands down on the keys with a bang, breaking into a jolly air of the
boulevards.

"Stay," she cried, stopping quickly, "but I know one of your English
tunes suitable for the sea. How do you call it? Tom-bolling!"

As she spoke she swerved softly into that favourite air, the English
words running oddly from her lips.

"'Ere a sheer 'ulk lies poor Tom Bo-olling..."

From the deck came a burst of applause. She laughed in delight, and
winked up at me.

"I can do more with them than your guns," she said boldly, and was
sailing into the next verse when the Princess intervened.

"Mademoiselle," she said in French, "you are inconveniencing the
officers. They have much to do."

Mademoiselle turned abou