nd resting
upon hers. "I don't believe that you really care for him at all. He
doesn't seem the right sort for you, he's so much older and graver. You
mustn't be angry. You must forgive me, please, if I have said more than
I ought--if I say more now--because I am going to tell you, now that we
are alone together for a moment, that I love you."

She turned upon him a little indignantly, though the distress in her
face was still apparent.

"Captain Granet!" she exclaimed. "You should not say that! You have no
right--no right at all."

"On the contrary, I have every right," he answered doggedly. "It isn't
as though Thomson were my friend. He hates me and I dislike him. Every
man has a right to do his best to win the girl he cares for. It's the
first time I've felt anything of this sort. I've never wanted the big
things before from any woman. And now--"

She turned impetuously away from him. Over their head an electric
message was sparkling and crackling. She stood looking up, her hand
outstretched as though to keep him away.

"I cannot listen any more," she declared. "If you say another word I
shall go below."

He remained for a moment gloomily silent. A young officer stepped out of
the wireless room and saluted Geraldine.

"Very sorry for you people, Miss Conyers," he announced, "but I am
afraid we'll have to put you on shore. We've an urgent message here from
the flag-ship to clear off all guests."

"But we haven't had lunch yet!" Geraldine protested.

Conyers suddenly made his appearance in the gangway, followed by Olive.

"What's the message, Howard?" he inquired.

The officer saluted and handed over a folded piece of paper. Conyers
read it with a frown and stepped at once out on to the deck. He gave a
few orders, then he turned back to his guests.

"Gels," he explained, "and you, Granet, I'm frightfully sorry but I
can't keep you here another second. I have ordered the pinnace round.
You must get on shore and have lunch at the 'Ship.' I'll come along as
soon as I can. Frightfully sorry, Granet, but I needn't apologise to
you, need I? War's war, you know and this is a matter of urgency."

"You're not going out this tide?" Geraldine demanded breathlessly.

Conyers shook his head.

"It isn't that," he replied. "We've got some engineers coming over to do
some work on deck, and I've had a private tip from my chief to clear out
any guests I may have on board."

"Is it anything to do with this wonderful s