Sterling and Mr. Ronald
left them and went to the engine-room, where Sharley and his
assistant were still laboring faithfully at the machinery.

"Well, we've got it located," said the grimy engineer, smiling
good-naturedly. "The trouble is on this end of the propeller shaft. A
piece of metal is lodged between the cogs, and we've been unable so
far to get it out. It's only a question of time, though. Bill is
hammering away with a cold chisel and something is bound to give 'way
soon."

"Can we run into the city in the storm, Sharley, or will it be better
to wait till it clears?"

"Well, it's pretty misty out, and hard to see the lights of other
boats, but we'll chance it if you say so, sir."

"I'll think it over. Let me know when the engine is fixed and we'll
decide what is best to do. Come, Sterling; let's go on deck for a
breath of air."

Donning heavy ulsters, they were soon on the slippery deck of the
yacht, the storm beating in their faces. The man in the wheelhouse,
encased in heavy oilskins, was nodding in the shelter of his little
quarters. He started up as Mr. Ronald and his friend came slipping
along the deck.

"A bad night, sir, but the storm's going down," he remarked,
pleasantly.

"The engines will soon be fixed, Donnelly, and if it's let up
sufficiently we may try to make the city at once. Otherwise we will
wait till daylight."

"Yes, sir; all right, sir," and the man bowed as Mr. Ronald and Dr.
Sterling passed on.

In the meantime, Dorothy and Molly lay in their bunks, talking on
various subjects, but mostly of the coming concert. Dorothy, of
course, was worried, and was trying to borrow trouble by declaring
the storm would keep up all the following day, and that she might be
forced to miss the concert altogether--an idea which Molly
"pooh-poohed" in vigorous terms.

"I'm surprised at you, Dorothy Calvert," she said. "You're not a
quitter. Nothing in the world will keep you from being at the theater
to-morrow night, and you will play as you have never played before.
Difficulties will but serve to spur you on to greater deeds."

"You're right, chum," Dorothy replied. "That is a well-deserved
rebuke and I thank you for it. Which reminds me that my fears were
groundless, for the wind is going down and it does not seem to be
raining as hard as it was."

"Of course not, you goosey! These storms rarely last more than a few
hours. The sun will be shining in the morning, and all you'll see to
rem