-nothing you want to know."

The reporter hesitated a moment.

"No," he said, "I don't suppose you can tell me much. Except--"

"Eh?" said Mr. Howland.

"Except--you read the despatch. It speaks of Captain Merrithew as Miss
Howland's _fiance_."

"Yes." Mr. Howland's years of business resource and acumen were
beginning to assert themselves. "Oh, _fiance_! I see. Romance will
help your article. Well, there isn't any. Captain Merrithew and my
daughter were engaged before we started on this _Tampico_ jaunt." He
looked at the reporter steadily. "Merrithew, you know, is really the
Assistant Marine Superintendent of the Coastwise Company; also a
stock-holder. He was sailing the _Tampico_ merely for experience."

The reporter smiled at Mr. Howland.

"Merrithew is to be congratulated," he said.

"I fancy so," replied Mr. Howland. "In fact," he added, "do you know,
I have reason to be quite sure of it."

THE END

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