82 SPORT, TRAVEL, AND ADVENTURE 



haughtily. ' I have a communication for the chief 

 steward.' 



The flunky stretched out his hand. 



' Oh, I cawn't send it, you know/ I protested. * I 

 must deliver it in person, for it requires an answer 

 before the ship leaves.' 



* Lord, you can't see 7/n ! ' gasped the Briton. 

 1 We're givin' a ball, and 'e's in the drawrin'-room ! * 



The sound of our voices had attracted the quarter- 

 master on duty. Behind him appeared a young steward. 



* You'd best get ashore quick/ said the sailor ; 

 1 we're only waitin' the fourth mite. Best call a boat- 

 man or you'll get carried off.' 



' Really I ' I cried, looking anxiously about me. ' But 

 I must have an answer, you know.' 



' I couldn't disturb V/n/ wheezed the older steward. 

 ' Well, show me where he is/ I protested. 



* Now we're off in a couple of winks/ warned the 

 quartermaster. 



' 'Ere, mite/ said the youth, * I'll take you down/ 



I followed him to the deck below and along a lighted 

 passageway. My disguise would never stand the glare 

 of a drawing-room. I thrust the note into the hands 

 of my guide. 



1 Be sure to bring me the answer/ I cautioned. 



He pushed his way througli a throng of messmat< 

 and disappeared into the drawing-room. A moment 

 later he returned with the answer I had expected. 



' So you're on the beach? ' he grinned. ' You sure 

 did get it on Clarence all right. 'Ard luck ! The chiei 

 says the force is full, an' the company rules don't alkr 

 'im to tyke on a man to work 'is passage. Sye, you'v< 

 slipped your cayble, anyway, ayn't you? We're not 



