and myself. It was ridiculous, but it also was likely to prove
extremely humiliating. So I said, speaking to Lord Ivy: "There's
been a mistake all around; send for Mr. Kinney and I will explain
it to you." Lord Ivy, who was looking extremely bored, smiled and
nodded, but young Aldrich laughed ironically.

"Mr. Kinney is in his state-room," he said, "with a steward
guarding the door and window. You can explain to-morrow to the
police."

I rounded indignantly upon the purser.

"Are you keeping Mr. Kinney a prisoner in his state-room?" I
demanded. "If you are--"

"He doesn't have to stay there," protested the purser sulkily.
"When he found the stewards were following him he went to his
cabin."

"I will see him at once," I said. "And if I catch any of your
stewards following ME, I'll drop them overboard."

No one tried to stop me--indeed, knowing I could not escape, they
seemed pleased at my departure, and I went to my cabin.

Kinney, seated on the edge of the berth, greeted me with a hollow
groan. His expression was one of utter misery. As though begging
me not to be angry, he threw out his arms appealingly.

"How the devil!" he began, "was I to know that a little red-headed