rned. "It is
really me and not my ghost. You see, I never jumped overboard at all,
but simply hid in one of Geoffrey Bellew's big packing-cases. I really
could not face those enraged beasts and Philistines any longer."

There was an amazed and gasping silence, but Diana in the middle of the
limelight was in her element, and rapidly regained her spirits. She
tripped to Clive and shook her warmly by the hand.

"So pleased to see you. I should have come out here long ago, but I
got so knocked about in the packing-case that I had to go to bed and be
nursed by Geoff's old aunt at Wynberg. Everything perfectly proper, so
don't be alarmed. She chaperoned us out here this afternoon, you know,
and would have liked to see you, but really it was rather awkward with
Ronny and Major Sarle turning up immediately afterwards. We didn't
expect to find April here either--naturally. That was a nasty bang in
the eye. I begged Ghostie to hide me in her room, and we waited and
waited, but these terrible men seem to have taken root here." She
twinkled at them gaily, but no one appeared to have recovered
sufficiently from shock to reciprocate her pert amusement.

"So at last, of course, I had to bundle them off and face the music
alone. Especially as _belle_ Helene told me there was some sort of
trouble boiling up in here for poor April."

"I suppose you never realized that trouble has been boiling up for her
ever since you disappeared?" said Clive.

"Oh, but of course; and I've been dreadfully sorry, and worrying myself
to ribbons."

"It doesn't seem to have interfered with your health," was Clive's only
rejoinder. "May one ask what you intended to do to put things
straight?"

Diana had the grace to look slightly abashed--only slightly.

"There was nothing for it but to come out here to you and sit tight
until the scandal had blown over, while April returned to England.
Once she got on board she would have found a letter telling her it was
all right, and that I was not dead at all."

"Very charming and considerate too!" commented Ronald Kenna acidly. "A
few other people, including Sarle and myself, might have been dead in
the meantime, but what would that have mattered?"

It was no use being acid with Diana, however. She was riotously
pleased with herself, and bubbling over with pride in her cleverness,
and joy in her escape from seclusion. Infection from her
light-heartedness was almost impossible, and once the sh