It was swinging to and fro with the regularity of a
pendulum, and that which is regular in a pendulum is fantastically
irregular in an underskirt. She sat up quickly, and listened. There was
a swish of water outside. Now and again she heard a slight movement of
the rudder chains in their boxes. Then, all aglow with wonder and
excitement, she jumped out of bed and drew the curtain of one of the
two tiny portholes that gave light to her cabin.
Yes, another marvel had happened. The yacht was speeding along under
canvas,--was already far out at sea. Where Massowah's yellow sandspit
shone yesterday were now blue wavelets dancing in the sun, and Irene
was sailor enough to know that the _Aphrodite_ was bound south.
She rang an electric bell, and her maid came.
"Yes, miss," said the girl, "we've been going since midnight. As soon
as Mrs. Haxton and Baron von Kerber came on board--"
"Baron von Kerber, did you say?" broke in Irene breathlessly.
"Yes, miss. He came with Mrs. Haxton. Mind you, miss, I haven't seen
him, but one of the stewards told me that the Baron went straight to
Mr.
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