Pagina 292 de 416

"Did you sleep well?" asked the girl with an entire lack of

self-consciousness, as though the episode of the night before had

never occurred. Code was very thankful for her tact and much

relieved. It was evident that their relations for the remainder

of the four days' journey north were to be impersonal unless he

chose to make them otherwise. This he had no intention of

doing--after his morning's battle with himself.

"Like a top, when I got started," he replied. "And you?"

"Splendidly, thanks. And you should have seen the breakfast I

ate. I am a shameful gourmand when I am at sea."

He took a chair and filled his pipe.

"By the way, how long have you been out on this cruise? You

weren't aboard, were you, the time the mystery schooner led the

revenue steamer such a chase?"

"No," she replied, "but I wish I had been. I nearly died when I

heard about that; it was so funny. I have only been aboard about

four days. I'll tell you the history of it.