were out of Yokohama,
homeward-bound.

"I feel like a child this morning," said Elsa. "I want to run and play
and shout."

"All the more reason why you should have a guardian. . . . Look,
Elsa!" Martha caught the girl by the arm. "There's that man we left
at Mandalay."

"Where?"

"Coming toward us. Shall we go into this shop?"

"No, thank you! There is no reason why I should hide in a
butcher-shop, simply to avoid meeting the man. We'll walk straight
past him. If he speaks, we'll ignore him."

"I wish we were in a civilized country."

"This man is supposed to be civilized. Don't let him catch your eye.
Go on; don't lag."

Craig stepped in front of them, smiling as he raised his helmet. "This
is an unexpected pleasure."

Elsa, looking coldly beyond him, attempted to pass.

"Surely you remember me?"

"I remember an insolent cad," replied Elsa, her eyes beginning to burn
dangerously. "Will you stand aside?"

He threw a swift glance about. He saw with satisfaction that none but
natives was in evidence.

Elsa's glance roved, too, with a little chill of despair. In stories
Warrington would have appeared about this time and soundly trounced
this impudent scoundrel. She realized that she must settle this affair
alone. She was not a soldier's daughter for nothing.

"Stand aside!"

"Hoity-toity!" he laughed. He had been drinking liberally and was a
shade reckless. "Why not be a good fellow? Over here nobody minds. I
know a neat little restaurant. Bring the old lady along," with a
genial nod toward the quaking Martha.

Resolutely Elsa's hand went up to her helmet, and with a flourish drew
out one of the long steel pins.

"Oh, Elsa!" warned Martha.

"Be still! This fellow needs a lesson. Once more, Mr. Craig, will you
stand aside?"

Had he been sober he would have seen the real danger in the young
woman's eyes.

"Cruel!" he said. "At least, one kiss," putting out his arms.

Elsa, merciless in her fury, plunged the pin into his wrist. It stung
like a hornet; and with a gasp of pain, Craig leaped back out of range,
sobered.

"Why, you she-cat!"

"I warned you," she replied, her voice steady but low. "The second
stab will be serious. Stand aside."

He stepped into the gutter, biting his lips and straining his uninjured
hand over the hurting throb in his wrist. The hat-pin as a weapon of
defense he had hitherto accepted as reporters' yarns. He was now
thoroughly convinced