e
helpless every minute.

As we emerged from the narrow lane which conducted us to the
waterside, the lights of the harbor burst into view. There on the
tide lay a long line of stately battleships, cruisers and dark,
low-lying torpedo boats, their riding lights flashing and twinkling
in a thousand reflections on the waves.

A drunken hail from the Captain was responded to by a respectful hail
from a Russian petty officer, who was lounging at the head of some
stone steps.

He came forward and assisted his commanding officer down and into the
launch which waited below. I followed, and the bottles of champagne
were handed in afterward.

Vassileffsky seized the tiller with more energy than he had seemed
capable of, and headed the launch for a great battleship, the
_Beresina_.

In a few minutes we were alongside. A smart landing stage and ladder
brought us up on to the deck, and as soon as our feet touched it,
Captain Vassileffsky, suddenly drawing himself up, said in distinct
and sober tones,

"Consider yourself under arrest, if you please----"

I was a prisoner on board a Russian man-of-war!

CHAPTER XXVII

THE BALTIC FLEET

Fortunately I am accustomed to face emergencies without losing my
presence of mind.

The manner of Vassileffsky had prepared me for some display of
suspicion on his part, though I hardly anticipated his procedure
would be so theatrical.

Fixing him with my sternest look, I responded,

"Captain Vassileffsky, I do not think you quite understand what you
are doing. I will talk to you in the morning, when you are more
yourself."

He drew back, considerably disconcerted.

"Very well, I will listen to what you have to say in the morning. In
the meantime you will be under a guard."

I shrugged my shoulders with a disdainful smile.

"Be good enough to let me see my quarters," I said.

More and more abashed, the Captain summoned one of his officers, and
gave him some instructions.

"Follow me, sir," said the lieutenant. I walked after him with
perfect self-possession.

"I do not wish to make a fuss to-night, as Captain Vassileffsky is
not himself," I said haughtily, as we drew out of hearing. "But you
will understand that unless I receive an apology in the morning, I
shall complain to his majesty the Czar, by whose orders I am here."

The lieutenant looked badly frightened.

"It is not my fault, as you can see, sir. I am only obeying orders.
Will you accept my own berth