Yet it is possible that Mrs. Haxton
herself would confess to a certain chagrin if she realized how small a
place she occupied in his mind as he followed her along the deck. Irene
flitted in front, light-limbed and agile, humming gaily a verse of some
song, but breaking off in the midst to ask Captain Stump not to be very
angry if she brought a party of invaders to his tiny domain. She was
young enough, not to feel fluttered by the knowledge that Mrs. Haxton
had broken in on a somewhat dangerous interchange of confidences. She
knew that she wanted a friend--some one less opinionative than Mr.
Fenshawe--to whom she could appeal for help and guidance when
difficulties arose. Royson was already a hero in her eyes, and what
more natural than that she should turn to him, especially under the
circumstances which had come to her knowledge that evening? As for
Dick, he fancied that the Suez Canal was one of the roads to Heaven.
Before he climbed into his bunk, however, he re-read Mr. Forbes's
letter, and noticed then that it bore signs of interference, while von
Kerber, if he had not opened it, must have jumped to the conclusion
that it came from London solely because the stamp was an English one.
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