ed_!" said the signorina, with tragic intensity. "I couldn't
stand that, so I joined the colonel in upsetting him. Ah, he shouldn't
have laughed at me!"

And indeed she looked at this moment a dangerous subject for such
treatment.

"I knew what no one else knew, and I could influence him as no one
else could, and I had my revenge. But now," she said, "it all ends in
nothing."

And she broke down, sobbing.

Then, recovering herself, and motioning me to be still, she went on:

"You may think, after holding him at bay so long, I have little to
fear from the colonel. But it's different. The President has no
scruples; but he is a gentleman--as far as women are concerned. I
mean--he wouldn't--"

She stopped.

"But McGregor?" I asked, in a hoarse whisper.

She drooped her head on my shoulder.

"I daren't stay here, Jack, with him," she whispered. "If you can't
take me away, I must go to the President. I shall be at least safe
with him!"

"Damn the ruffian!" I growled; not meaning the President, but his
successor; "I'll shoot him!"

"No, no, Jack!" she cried. "You must be quiet and cautious. But I must
go to-night--to-night, Jack, either with you or to the President."

"My darling, you shall come with me," said I.

"Where?"

"Oh, out of this somewhere."

"How are we to escape?"

"Now, you sit down, dear, and try to stop crying--you break my
heart--and I'll think. It's my turn now."

I carried her to the sofa, and she lay still, but with her eyes fixed
on me. I was full of rage against McGregor, but I couldn't afford the
luxury of indulging it, so I gave my whole mind to finding a way out
for us. At last I seemed to hit upon a plan.

The signorina saw the inspiration in my eye. She jumped up and came to
me.

"Have you got it, Jack?" she said.

"I think so--if you will trust yourself to me, and don't mind an
uncomfortable night."

"Go on."

"You know my little steam launch? It will be dark to-night. If we can
get on board with a couple of hours' start we can show anybody a clean
pair of heels. She travels a good pace, and it's only fifty miles to
safety and foreign soil. I shall land there a beggar!"

"I don't mind that, Jack," she said. "I have my five thousand, and
aunt will join us with the rest. But how are we to get on board?
Besides, O Jack! the President watches the coast every night with _The
Songstress_--and you know she's got steam--Mr. Carr just had auxiliary
steam put in."

"No," I