avel at half speed to
Penang. In other words, they would not make the port to-day, Sunday,
but to-morrow. Another day with this mysterious tantalizing woman,
thought Warrington. He went in search of her, but before he found her,
he was summoned to the captain's cabin. Warrington presented himself,
mildly curious. The captain nodded to a stool.

"Sit down, Mr. Warrington. Will you have a cheroot?"

"Yes, thanks."

A crackle of matches followed.

"This fellow Craig has complained about his treatment by you this
morning. I fancy you were rather rough with him."

"Perhaps. He was very drunk and abusive, and he needed cold water more
than anything else. I once knew the man."

"Ah! But it never pays to manhandle that particular brand of tippler.
They always retaliate in some way."

"I suppose he has given you an excerpt from my history?"

"He says you can not return to the States."

"I am returning on the very first boats I can find."

"Then he was lying?"

"Not entirely. I do not know what he has told you, and I really do not
care. The fact is, Craig is a professional gambler, and I warned him
not to try any of his tricks on board. It soured him."

"And knowing myself that he was a professional, I gave no weight to his
accusations. Besides, it is none of my business. The worst scoundrel
unhung has certain rights on my ship. If he behaves himself, that is
sufficient for me. Now, what Craig told me doesn't matter; but it
matters that I warned him. A word to any one else, and I'll drop him
at Penang to-morrow, to get out the best way he can. Ships passing
there this time of year are generally full-up. Will you have a peg?"

"No, thanks. But I wish to say that it is very decent of you."
Warrington rose.

"I have traveled too long not to recognize a man when I see him. Do
you play cricket?" asked the captain, his gaze critically covering the
man before him.

"No; I regret I'm not familiar with the game."

"Ah! Well, drop in any night after ten, if you care to."

"I shall be glad to accept your hospitality."

Outside, Warrington mused on the general untruths of first impressions.
He had written down the captain as a pompous, self-centered individual.
One never could judge a man until he came to the scratch. It heartened
him to find that there was a man on board who respected his misfortune,
whether he believed it or not. He sought Elsa, and as they promenaded,
lightly recounted the e