e is going to be a
grand fight to see who will get on it. A half-dozen armed men could hold
it for themselves, but not for anybody else--women or men. What do you
say, Major? Would you be for that kind of a fight in the event of her
sinking?"

Crupp shook his head firmly. "I'd better shoot myself--or any other army
or navy officer--than be saved where a ship-load of women went down."

"What do you say, Mr. Vogel?"

Vogel smiled uneasily. "You gentlemen of the sword and pen, how you do
try our nerve at times! But in my circle neither do men honor the
craven. With many women still aboard, would I get into a boat and leave
the ship? Why, no."

"Do you mean, Cadogan"--all was silence when Meade spoke up--"do you
mean there is a possibility that this ship will founder?"

Cadogan nodded--twice--slowly.

"But for God's sake, when?"

"See"--he pointed to the deck at their feet--"the slant. Her bow is
settling now."

No one spoke, and only Meade moved, and he to interlock his fingers and,
pressing his hands together, to rest them on the edge of the table, and
lower, for a moment, his head.

Only Cadogan seemed to remember that Lavis was on the transom seat.
During all the time that he was speaking and acting, Cadogan knew that
Lavis had never ceased to study him.

Cadogan addressed him directly. "The raft?" asked Cadogan. Lavis shook
his head indifferently.

The soldier dropped the butt of his cigar straight down between his
knees. Meade laid the ends of his fingers on the edge of the table, and
stared at his nails.

Vogel sat a little higher in his chair. "Well, there's one thing. For
three generations now our family have pursued a constructive policy. My
son is almost of age. I hope he will not forget his responsibilities."

Major Crupp stood up. "Shall we go outside?"

Vogel stood up promptly. Meade got more slowly to his feet. "It doesn't
seem real," he said to Cadogan; "so quiet! Do men die so easily?"
Without waiting to hear the answer he walked after Crupp and Vogel.

Lavis had not moved from his transom seat. Cadogan walked half-way to
the door and returned. "You set me thinking to-night, Mr. Lavis, but I
see now that it is you the Eternal Verities should select to go down
into the depths."

"No, no! Never immortality for me. I had my chance. I threw it away. I
was dedicated to a sacred calling, Mr. Cadogan. I had almost achieved
the heights, when I--fell. I sinned not only in body, but in spirit. To