low had barred the doors.

"Clear away the boats!" and all but Phillips, who was obliged to watch
Bitts, sprang to their stations for lowering the boats, and in a couple
of minutes all four of them were in the water, with the oars tossed,
ready to pull for the shore. In the cabin there was a tremendous din,
made by Cleats and the other officers, who had been aroused by the
noise. They were trying to batter down the door leading into the
steerage, but as yet with no success.

"All ready!" shouted Perth.

Phillips, who was the only one of the crew remaining on board, hastily
belayed the clewline at the fife-rail, hauling it just taut enough to
hold Bitts, without choking him to death. As the ruffian leaped into
the boat, to which he had been assigned, Perth gave the order to shove
off, and the runaways pulled with all their might for the shore.

CHAPTER XVII.

HEIDELBERG AND HOMBURG.

On the arrival of the excursion party at Heidelberg, they were
conducted, by Mr. Arbuckle's _avant-courrier_, to the Hotel Prinz Karl,
in the marketplace, and near the castle, which is the principal object
of interest in the town. One of the first persons that Shuffles saw, as
he walked up to the hotel, was Lady Feodora, promenading the veranda
with Sir William. She looked a shade paler than when the captain had
met her last; but her color deepened when she discovered her gallant
friend.

"I am delighted to see you, Captain Shuffles!" exclaimed she, deserting
her titled companion, and rushing towards him, her cheeks suffused with
blushes.

"This is a very unexpected pleasure," replied the commander, his brown
face flushing, "but none the less welcome because unexpected."

"How glad I am to see you again!" said she, taking his offered hand, as
they met.

"Thank you; but not so glad as I am," added he, in a lower tone.

"I hope you are very well, Captain Shuffles," interposed Sir William,
stiffly.

"Quite well, I thank you."

"Lady Feodora has been quite ill," added the baronet, "or we should
have been in Brussels by this time."

"I have not been very ill; but father thought we had better remain here
a few days. Now I am almost glad I was ill, since it gives me the
pleasure of seeing you again," continued the young lady, with a
childish candor which brought a frown to the brow of the little
baronet.

"You are very kind, Lady Feodora."

Sir William thought so too.

"We have been all over the castle, Captain Shuff