ke over me. There could be no
other solution of the puzzle than this--that the outer wall of the
cabin had been carried away. I judged that I was in the Prince's room.

I retraced my way, opening the door with difficulty, and, once more in
the shelter of the corridor, felt my way along the railing. There
seemed to be a foot of water about my legs, and it was icy chill. The
next handle I hit upon I turned as before, and the door came back upon
me with a rush, almost sending me headlong. I entered the cabin, and by
dint of groping I reached the upholstered couch at the back. My bag was
not where I had left it, but it could not be far away. The salt water
flowed and oozed on the floor, but I dropped to my knees and hunted for
it, and was at last rewarded by finding it jammed into a corner under a
cupboard. Getting back into the corridor, I had now to determine
whether to return at once to the Princess or to go in search of news.

I stood wavering, reluctant to leave her in her swoon all untended, and
yet conscious that it would be wiser to ascertain the extent of our
damages. Happily the decision was not forced upon me, for I saw in the
distance a swinging lantern, which seemed to be advancing towards me
down the corridor. I shouted, and the dim figure behind it stopped and
turned the light upon me.

"You, Phillimore?"

It was Barraclough's voice. "What has happened?" I asked.

"Struck on a reef," he roared back. "She's tight yet, I think. But
where are the ladies?"

"Let me have your lantern and I'll take you to them," said I, and,
thanking Providence for that signal mercy, I crossed the corridor with
him. The lantern shed a benign light upon the wreck of the _boudoir_.
The Princess lay where I had left her; but her eyes were open, and I
made use of my flask of cognac with beneficial results. Then I was
plucked by the arm, and Barraclough claimed my attention.

"Mademoiselle Trebizond is ill," he called. "Give her something. You
must see to her."

Of course that was my duty, and I took such steps as seemed necessary
for one of so neurotic a nature.

"She is all right," I explained. "If the ship's in no danger just now
they are best here. The maid has a candle."

I returned to Princess Alix and found her recovered, and I bade her be
of good cheer, shouting (for it was always shouting) that we had defied
the mutineers successfully, and that we should also successfully defy
the elements. Then I went back, for I h