ceeded each
other like flashes of light. Not a word was spoken for several seconds.
The red of humiliation slowly mounted to his cheeks, while in his eyes
wavered the look of one who has been hunted down.

"You have decided?" he asked lifelessly, and more than one heart went
out in pity to him.

"We hated to do it, Monty, but for your own sake there was no other
way," said "Subway" Smith quickly. "We took a vote and there wasn't a
dissenting voice." "It is a plain case of mutiny, I take it," said
Monty, utterly alone and heart-sick.

"It isn't necessary to tell you why we have taken this step," said
DeMille. "It is heart-breaking to oppose you at this stage of the game.
You've been the best ever and--"

"Cut that," cried Monty, and his confidence in himself was fast
returning. "This is no time to throw bouquets."

"We like you, Brewster." Mr. Valentine came to the chairman's
assistance because the others had looked at him so appealingly. "We
like you so well that we can't take the responsibility for your
extravagance. It would disgrace us all."

"That side of the matter was never mentioned," cried Peggy indignantly,
and then added with a catch in her voice, "We thought only of you."

"I appreciate your motives and I am grateful to you," said Monty. "I am
more sorry than I can tell you that the cruise must end in this way,
but I too have decided. The yacht will take you to some point where you
can catch a steamer to New York. I shall secure passage for the entire
party and very soon you will be at home. Captain Perry, will you oblige
me by making at once for any port that my guests may agree upon?" He
was turning away deliberately when "Subway" Smith detained him.

"What do you mean by getting a steamer to New York? Isn't the 'Flitter'
good enough?" he asked.

"The 'Flitter' is not going to New York just now," answered Brewster
firmly, "notwithstanding your ultimatum. She is going to take me to the
North Cape."

CHAPTER XXVII

A FAIR TRAITOR

"Now will you be good?" cried Reggie Vanderpool to DeMille as Monty
went down the companionway. The remark was precisely what was needed,
for the pent-up feelings of the entire company were now poured forth
upon the unfortunate young man. "Subway" Smith was for hanging him to
the yard arm, and the denunciation of the others was so decisive that
Reggie sought refuge in the chart house. But the atmosphere had been
materially cleared and the leaders of the mutin