tired for the night, although it was not late,
as a glance at my watch proved. My eyes traced the doors on either
side, ten altogether, each plainly numbered, and I opened the one
assigned to me, and glanced within. Except that it was more
commodious, and contained a washstand at one corner, it did not differ
greatly from the other forward where I had been held prisoner.

I wondered which of these others might be hers, and passed silently
from door to door, vaguely hoping for some sign of guidance. They were
all tightly closed, and I dare not try the locks, as I was certain one,
at least, of the under officers would be sleeping below. My round had
brought me to the second door on the port side when, in the dim light,
I perceived something lying at my feet, and stooped down to better
determine its character. It was the end of a very narrow light blue
ribbon, apparently caught beneath the door. Assured that she was the
only one of her sex aboard, I drew the strip forth, fondled it,
imagined I had seen it before, struggling with a desire to make myself
known. The door before which I hesitated was numbered "5." Whether by
accident, or design, she had left the one clew I most needed. Indeed,
at the moment, I believed the ribbon had been purposely dropped. That
last meeting of our eyes had reassured her of my loyalty; with the
quick intuition of a woman she had comprehended the truth, and this
ribbon, apparently carelessly dropped, was for my guidance. I thrust
it into my pocket, but the soft touch of the silk seemed to bring back
to me a sense of caution. I knew the door was locked, and assured
myself there was no space beneath. If I was to communicate with her,
other means must be employed. What? This was the second stateroom on
the port side. Judging from my own, the width of each room would be
about six feet. There ought to be no difficulty in locating her
porthole from the deck above, nor in attracting her attention.

The one thing I desired now was to reestablish myself fully in her
confidence, assure her I was at liberty on board, able and willing to
be of service. This necessity overshadowed all else. If I could
discover means of communication we could plan hopefully, assured of
cooperation. And this seemed possible, the way to its accomplishment
open. Shadowed from observation by the thick butt of the after-mast, I
wrote a few lines hastily on the back of an envelope, thrust it into my
pocket, a