"You do not answer me," cried Mlle. Nadiboff. "You feel guilty indeed,
then?"

"Perhaps 'astonished' would be the more accurate word," Jack replied,
smiling now.

"My Captain, you were very pleasant with me, the first evening that we
met."

"That was before," nodded Captain Benson, still smiling. He stood cap
in hand, his whole bearing respectful, for he did not intend to be
discourteous even to this known adventuress. He would grant her at
least the courtesy due her sex.

"Before what?" she asked.

"Well, er--before that automobile ride the day."

"And why should that change your attitude toward me, my Captain?" asked
the young Russian. Her tone was coaxing, almost cooing; her eyes
extremely moist, as though the tears would spring forth in another
instant.

"Why, you see, Mademoiselle," laughed Jack, coolly, "the finish of that
automobile ride was just a trifle too exciting for me. I have plenty
of the strenuous side of life out at sea. When on shore my tastes are
all for the quiet, peaceful life."

"But surely you do not reproach me with having made the automobile ride