ON THE OCEAN WAVE 81 



respecting lascars, who jumped aside as I appeared, the 

 promenade deck was deserted. From somewhere below 

 came the sound of waltz music and the laughter of 

 merry people. I strolled leisurely around to the port 

 side and walked aft in the shadow of the upper cabins. 

 For some moments I stood alone in the darkness, gazing 

 at the reflection of the lower portholes in the canal. 

 Then a step sounded at the door of the saloon behind 

 me, a heavy British step that advanced several paces 

 and halted. One could almost feel the authority in 

 that step ; one could certainly hear it in the gruff 

 ' Ahem ! ' with which the new-comer cleared his throat. 

 An officer, no doubt, about to order me ashore ! I 

 waited in literal fear and trembling. 



A minute passed, then another. I turned my head, 

 inch by inch, and peered over my shoulder. In the 

 shaft of light stood a man in faultless evening attire, 

 gazing at me through the intervening darkness. His 

 dress proved him no landsman. The skipper himself, 

 surely ! What under-officer would dare appear out 

 of uniform during a voyage? 



I turned my head away again, determined to bear the 

 impending blow with fortitude. The dreaded being 

 cleared his throat once more, stepped nearer, and stood 

 for a moment without speaking. Then a hand touched 

 me lightly on the sleeve. 



' Beg pardon, sir/ murmured an apologetic voice ; 

 ' beg pardon, sir, but 'ave you 'ad dinner yet? The 

 other gentlemen's hall been served, sir.' 



I swallowed my throat and turned around, laying a 

 hand over the place where my necktie should have 

 been . 



' I am not a passenger, my man,' I replied 



6 



