y to jump, and Molly to
grab her chum nervously by the arm.

"What is it?" Aunt Betty wanted to know.

Dorothy extended her finger toward the formidable looking bank of
clouds.

"A storm is coming," she replied, "and if we don't hurry and fix the
engines we shall be caught in it."

As if in answer to Dorothy's remark, Mr. Ronald appeared on deck at
this instant. His face wore a troubled expression and the hopes of
the guests fell as they noticed it.

"It's of no use; we can't find the trouble," he said. "Looks very
like we were in a trap and destined to quite a stay."

The wind had already commenced to blow. The _Nautilus_ had swung
around bow on to the east and was tugging viciously at her anchor.

"If some other boat would only come by and pick us up!" cried Aunt
Betty. "Why, we may have to stay out here all night."

"What of it?" queried Judge Breckenridge.

"Why, Dorothy will be in no shape for the concert to-morrow
night--that's what of it. And Herr and Frau Deichenberg will be
worried over our continued absence."

"The cabin of the yacht will afford comfortable sleeping quarters for
you ladies," said Mr. Ronald. "I regret this occurrence, but now that
we are here, with no prospect for getting away under several hours,
we must make the best of a bad bargain."

"Let me suggest that we all go inside," said Dr. Sterling. "The wind
is getting too cool for you, Mrs. Calvert."

"I suppose that's an insinuation against my age," returned the person
addressed, with some spirit. "But I'll forgive you, doctor; we had
best look the facts in the face."

She arose as she spoke, and taking Jim's arm, walked slowly toward
the cabin. The others followed.

No sooner were they inside than the storm descended with a roar.
Sheets of water, wind-driven, beat against the windows of the cabin,
and the yacht rose on top of great waves to plunge down into the
trough of the sea with a motion that gave Aunt Betty a sinking
feeling.

"It's like going down in an elevator," she confided to Dorothy. "I
just know I'm going to be seasick."

"You will if you think about it every minute," said Dr. Sterling.
"Get your mind on something else and you will be all right."

"Easier said than done, doctor."

"Oh, I don't know. Now, that reminds me of a story," and he went on
to relate a certain incident of his career which took the thoughts of
seasickness and storm away from Aunt Betty's mind.

It soon grew so dark it became necess