Part 36 (1/2)

'You can't deny it, though! And one thingtoo far; I shall hter

'Co'

'If you insist; but this is rather a delicate matter You knoere a little surprised to find you _all_ on board; and you, Herr Bohme, did you always take such a deep interest in small yachts? I am afraid that it was at a certain sacrifice of colanced at the token he bore of his encounter with our lintel There was a burst of pent-up merriment, in which Dollmann took the loudest share

'I warned you, Bohineer took the joke in the best possible part 'We owe you apologies,' he conceded

'Don't mention it,' said Davies

'_He_ doesn't mind,' I said; 'I'm the injured one I'm sure you never suspected Davies, who could?' (Who indeed? I was on firround there)

'The point is, what did you take _me_ for?'

'Perhaps we take you for it still,' said von Bruning

'Oho! Still suspicious? Don't drive et back to London I shall go to Lloyd's! I haven't forgotten that flaw in the title' There was an igerated sole man What do you say?'

'Take me to Memmert,' I exclaimed 'Those are ht you were starting for England to-ht to; but I'll stay for that'

'You said it was urgent Your conscience is very elastic'

'That's my affair Will you take entlemen?' Bohme nodded 'I think e some reparation Under promise of absolute secrecy, then?'

'Of course, now that you trust ht--wreck, depot, and all?'

'Everything; if you don't object to a diver's dress'

'Victory!' I cried, in triuentle that as far as I am concerned the joke's at an end; and, in spite of your kind offer, I ood Herr Boh And in case my elastic conscience troubles you (for I see you think me a weather-cock) here are the letters received thismy identity as a humble but respectable clerk in the British Civil Service, summoned away from his holiday by a tyrannical superior' (I pulled out my letters and tossed thelish easily, perhaps? I dare say Herr Boh Bohme to study dates, post-marks, and contents to his heart's content, and unobserved, I turned to syhbour, who co round; and no wonder But at this juncture, and very much to o to Me 'Now I' here either, Davies,' I objected

'Yes, I shall,' said Davies 'Why, I told you I should If you leave me in the lurch like this I must have time to look round'

'You needn't pretend that you cannot sail alone,' said von Bruning

'It's much more fun with two; I think I shall wire for another friend Meanwhile, I should like to see Memmert'