quietly. "The question of its ethical speed has nothing to do with
it."

"The designer of the craft is here," said Sir Walter, fixing his eyes
upon Sir Christopher Wren. "It is possible that he may be of
assistance in settling that point."

"What has all this got to do with the question, anyhow, Mr.
Chairman?" asked Solomon, rising impatiently and addressing Sir
Walter. "We aren't preparing for a yacht-race, that I know of.
Nobody's after a cup, or a championship of any kind. What we do want
is to get our wives back. The Captain hasn't taken more than half of
mine along with him, but I am interested none the less. The Queen of
Sheba is on board, and I am somewhat interested in her fate. So I
ask you what earthly or unearthly use there is in discussing this
question of speed in the House-boat. It strikes me as a woful waste
of time, and rather unprecedented too, that we should suspend all
rules and listen to the talk of an entire stranger."

"I do not venture to doubt the wisdom of Solomon," said Johnson,
dryly, "but I must say that the gentleman's remarks rather interest
me."

"Of course they do," ejaculated Solomon. "He agreed with you. That
ought to make him interesting to everybody. Freaks usually are."

"That is not the reason at all," retorted Dr. Johnson. "Cold water
agrees with me, but it doesn't interest me. What I do think,
however, is that our unknown friend seems to have a grasp on the
situation by which we are confronted, and he's going at the matter in