sparkling. "I
understand human nature pretty well. I have to, in my profession."

His Lordship nodded assent, and a moment later she had sprung on to the
cabin hatch, a most entrancing little figure, and instantly commanded
the attention and admiration of her audience.

"Mates!" she cried, in her clear ringing voice, "mates, I want a word
with you."

"Speak up, and welcome!" called some one in the crowd, while the
boatswain, nudging a comrade in the ribs, remarked under his breath:

"My eye, but she's a stunner!"

Silence having been obtained, she continued:

"I've only this to say. We've all been made fools of. Those gentlemen
tied up to the mast made fools of you, and you've certainly made fools
of them."

A loud laugh greeted this sally.

"And," she resumed, "if it ever gets out that his Lordship the Bishop of
Blanford and myself were carried off as Spanish spies, we'll never hear
the last of it. Now let's all keep silence for the sake of the others.
Put us ashore at Weymouth, and we'll say to Lord Downton that it was our
wish to be landed there. He won't know about the occurrences of this
day, unless some of you tell him. You might leave the journalist and the
tramp at Weymouth, too. I guess they'll have had enough of the sea to
last them for some time. And oh, by the way, I suppose Mr. Marchmont
intended to pay you for this. Perhaps you'll see that the division is
properly carried out."

"Ay, ay!" came from twenty throats, followed by a rousing cheer.

And so it happened that they reached _terra firma_ about six in the
afternoon. But Weymouth, while it is geographically not far distant from
Blanford, is miles away by the railroad and its connections, and they
did not reach the palace till nearly midnight.

Everything was dark and still, and as they stood shivering in the porch,
the Bishop remarked, producing his latch-key:

"Do you know I--I'm really afraid to open the door."

She gave his hand a reassuring squeeze, and they entered softly.

"Is there anything I can get for the Leopard, before she retires?" he
asked apologetically, as they crossed the stone-paved floor of the
palace by the aid of a single bedroom candle, which only served to
accentuate the surrounding darkness.

"No, thank you, I'm all right," she faltered, putting her foot on the
first step of the stairs. And then, without the slightest warning, she
burst into tears.

His Lordship, completely bewildered at this unexpected turn