all of which I am
possessed, with the exception of such specific bequests as those of
which you are aware, shall pass to the lady whom I would have made my
wife had I not died. Do you understand?"

"I understand," said the lawyer; "and if you will furnish me with the
particulars I will have a fresh will drawn up. But I confess to you I
do not approve of the step you are taking."

"I am sorry for that," Browne replied. "But if you were in my place I
fancy you would act as I am doing." Having said this, he gave the
lawyer the particulars he required; and, when he left the office a
quarter of an hour or so later, he had made Katherine Petrovitch the
inheritor of the greater part of his enormous wealth. Whatever should
happen to him within the next few months she would at least be provided
for. From his lawyer's office he drove to his bank to deposit certain
papers; then to his tailor; and finally back to his own house in Park
Lane, where he hoped and expected to find the captain of his yacht
awaiting him. He was not disappointed. Captain Mason had just
arrived, and was in the library at that moment. The latter was not of
the usual yachting type. He was short and stout, possessed an
unusually red face, which was still further ornamented by a fringe of
beard below his chin; he had been at sea, man and boy, all his life,
and had no sympathy with his brother-skippers who had picked up their
business in the Channel, and whose longest cruise had been to the
Mediterranean and back. He had been in old Browne's employ for ten
years, and in that of his son after him. What was more, he had earned
the trust and esteem of all with whom he was brought in contact; and
when Browne opened the door and found that smiling, cheerful face
confronting him, he derived a feeling of greater satisfaction than he
had done from anything for some considerable time past.

CHAPTER XVI

"Good-morning, Mason," Browne said, as he shook hands. "I am glad that
you were able to come up at once, for I want to consult you on most
important business. Sit down, and let us get to work. You were not
long in getting under way."

"I started directly I received your message, sir," the man replied.
"Perhaps you would not mind telling me what it is I have to do."

"I'll very soon do that," Browne replied; "and, if I know anything of
you, you will be glad to hear my needs. I want to see you with regard
to a cruise in Eastern waters. I am ti