"Ah, that is better," said the doctor. "Now, if you don't mind, we

shall have the door closed."

With peace suddenly restored to the room, and her faculties helped more

than she suspected, Elsie began to wonder what had happened.

"Where are the others?" she asked; "and why are you taking things so

coolly? Captain Courtenay said--"

"Captain Courtenay said exactly what he meant. But circumstances

proved too strong for him. We shall not be able to leave the ship just

yet."

"Can't they lower any of the boats?"

"Most decidedly. Two boats have been gone some time. I imagined you

knew that. Did not the captain tell you?"

At another time Elsie would have laughed at the prevalent delusion that

she enjoyed Courtenay's confidence so thoroughly. But she felt that

her companion's glib tone was artificial. Something had occurred which

he was keeping from her. She believed that he had gone to the saloon

to procure the wine so that she might have what men called Dutch

courage when bad news came.

"I have not exchanged a dozen words with the captain since you refused

my help in the fore cabin," she said. "He had other matters to attend

to than explaining the progress of events to me. Why cannot you trust

me? I shall not scream, nor faint, nor hinder you in your work; I ask

you again-- Where are the others?"

"You mean Miss Baring and Mrs. Somerville?"

"Yes."

"If they are living, they are far enough away by this time. When their

boat was lowered it was cast off prematurely--"

"Purposely?"

"Well--yes. Courtenay had just placed Miss Baring's maid on board when

some of the crew let go the ropes. What could we do? We were forced

to depend on them."

"Is there no other boat?"

Christobal threw out his hands in his characteristic gesture. He was

so emphatic that he spilled some of the wine.

"You take it bravely," he said. "I may as well give you the whole

story. The first boat lowered was lost, through the men's own

bungling, the captain says. Then there was a desperate fight for the

three remaining craft. Most of the officers were killed. Courtenay

got a few of us together when Isobel and Mrs. Somerville joined you

here, and we held off such of the madmen as tried to seize the

jolly-boat. They managed to lower two life-boats, but, between murder

and panic, not half of the crew escaped in that way. Four men, who

were left behind, promised obedience, and Malcolm, the steward, was

placed in charge, with Mr. Gray as second in command. One of the

engineers, acting on the captain's orders, brought a can of oil from

the engine-room and threw it over the side in handfuls. The result was

magical. We lowered the boat easily, placed Monsieur de Poincilit on

board, because he was worse than the women, and then Courtenay, as you

know, brought Isobel, the minister's wife--who refused to go without

her husband--and the maid. There was room for you and another, so, at

the captain's request, Tollemache and I tossed for the vacancy.

Meanwhile, Courtenay had turned to go for you, when we heard a shout

from Gray; two of the Chileans had cast off the ropes which kept the

boat alongside. Gray, who was fending her from the ship with the

boat-hook, jabbed one fellow in the face with it; but he was too late.

The boat raced off into the darkness. And here we are!"




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