Part 18 (1/2)

”'And the worst of it is that he has my ticket.'

”'That would be the worst part of it--to you.'

”I knew very well what he meant, though I took care not to let him suspect that I knew it. I did not know what else to do, so I took out my handkerchief and began to cry.

”'Madame la Baronne will excuse me, but I have still some little matters to which I must attend. Doubtless Madame la Baronne will have ceased to weep by the time that I return.'

”He left the cabin. I distinctly heard him bolt the door on the other side. My first impulse was to fasten it upon my side too. But I refrained. He had entirely upset me--what little there was of me left to upset--by addressing me as Madame la Baronne! He evidently took it for granted that I had married the Belgian. I do not suppose that Geraldine will pay the slightest heed to anything I say, but I would earnestly advise her to be exceedingly careful in avoiding complications with men. I know that, as I sat there waiting for Mr.

Pearson's return, I wished with all my heart that I had never met any man until I met Conrad--some of them never will understand.

”When he came back I had calmed myself to the best of my ability.

There was a tolerable gla.s.s in the cabin. I took advantage of it to put myself a little to rights. He entered while I was engaged in doing so. He came in so quietly that the first intimation I had of his presence was seeing his face beside mine in the gla.s.s. It gave me quite a shock.

”'Mr. Pearson!'

”I turned. He bowed.

”'Always the same!' he said.

”'I was just looking to see if there was any of me left.'

”'Let me beg of you to take a seat.'

”I sat down. He went to a desk which was at one side of the cabin and sat down too, his back to me. His manners did not strike me as particularly polite. Unlocking the desk, he took something out of it.

I tried to make a little conversation.

”'I had no idea, Mr. Pearson, that you had become a captain.'

”He bowed, but said nothing. I tried again:

”'If it is not giving you too much trouble, Mr. Pearson--I am tired, you know--might I ask you to show me to a berth?”

”This time he condescended to face me.

”'Our encounter is of so unexpected a nature that I am sure you will excuse me if for a few minutes I detain you. I can scarcely hope to have so excellent an opportunity again.'

”'I can only say that I am tired.'

”'There are a few matters here in which you cannot fail to take an interest.'

”He turned to the things which he had placed upon his desk.

”'Here is a revolver.'

”He took one in his hand and held it out to me. You know, dear mamma, I am not nervous as a rule, but when he did that a creepy, crawly feeling went all over me.

”'I purchased it to shoot the Baron. It is perhaps as well that he is left behind. I might have used it yet.'

”There was something in his eyes I did not like. In an ordinary case I should have said his language was absurd. But my position was peculiar.