t's all to
the good for emergencies. I got fifteen knots out of her once, but she
averages about twelve. And good in a sea-way, too. For her size, as dry
a boat as ever I was in."

"What size is she?" asked Merriman.

"Thirty feet, eight feet beam, draws two feet ten. She'll go down any of
the French canals. Two four-cylinder engines, either of which will run
her. Engines and wheel amidships, cabin aft, decked over. Oh, she's a
beauty. You'll like her, I can tell you."

"But do you mean to tell me you would cross the Bay of Biscay in a boat
that size?"

"The Bay's maligned. I've been across it six times and it was only rough
once. Of course, I'd keep near the coast and run for shelter if it came
on to blow. You need not worry. She's as safe as a house."

"I'm not worrying about her going to the bottom," Merriman answered.
"It's much worse than that. The fact is," he went on in a burst of
confidence, "I can't stand the motion. I'm ill all the time. Couldn't I
join you later?"

Hilliard nodded.

"I had that in my mind, but I didn't like to suggest it. As a matter
of fact it would suit me better. You see, I go on my holidays a week
earlier than you. I don't want to hang about all that time waiting for
you. I'll get a man and take the boat over to Bordeaux, send the man
home, and you can come overland and join me there. How would that suit
you?"

"A1, Hilliard. Nothing could be better."

They continued discussing details for the best part of an hour, and
when Merriman left for home it had been arranged that he should follow
Hilliard by the night train from Charing Cross on the following Monday
week.

CHAPTER 3. THE START OF THE CRUISE

Dusk was already falling when the 9 p.m. Continental boat-train
pulled out of Charing Cross, with Seymour Merriman in the corner of a
first-class compartment. It had been a glorious day of clear atmosphere
and brilliant sunshine, and there was every prospect of a spell of good
weather. Now, as the train rumbled over the bridge at the end of the
station, sky and river presented a gorgeous color scheme of crimson
and pink and gold, shading off through violet and gray to nearly black.
Through the latticing of the girders the great buildings on the northern
bank showed up for a moment against the light beyond, dark and somber
masses with nicked and serrated tops, then, the river crossed, nearer
buildings intervened to cut off the view, and the train plunged into the
maze and