ery lucky that we were there in the nick of time."

Cecilia looked at them gratefully. It might have been so different, she
thought; she might have flung herself on the mercy of people who would
have been suspicious and frigid, or of others who would have treated her
with familiarity and curious questioning. These people were pleasantly
matter-of-fact; glad to help, but plainly anxious to show her that they
considered her affairs none of their business. There was a little catch
in her throat as she answered.

"It is very good of you to take me on trust--I know I did an
unwarrantable thing. But my brother, Captain Rainham, will explain
everything, and he will be as grateful to you as I am. He is at the ship
now."

"Then we can hand you over to his care," said her host. "By the way,
is there any need to guard against the--er--lady you spoke of? Is she
likely to follow you to the docks?"

"She doesn't know I'm going," said Cecilia, dimpling. "Of course, if
it were in a novel she would leap into a swift motor and bid the driver
follow us, and be even now on our heels--"

"Goodness!" said the other girl. She twisted so that she could look out
of the tiny window at the back; turning back with a relieved face.

"Nothing near us but a carrier's van and a pony cart," she said. "I
shouldn't think you need worry."

"No. I really don't think I need. My stepmother did see me in the
taxi, but her brain doesn't move very swiftly, nor does she, for that
matter--and I'm sure she wouldn't try to follow me. She knows, too, that
if she found me she couldn't drag me away as if I were two years old.
Oh, I'm sure I'm safe from her now," finished Cecilia, with a sigh of
relief.

"At any rate, if she comes to the docks she will have your brother to
deal with," said the big man. "And here we are."

They got out at the big gate where the Irish policeman greeted Cecilia
with a friendly "Did ye find it now, miss?" and beamed upon her when she
held up her wrist, with her watch safely in its place. He examined her
companions' passports, but let her through with an airy "Sure, this
young lady's all right," which made Cecilia feel that no further proof
could be needed of her respectability. Then Bob came hurrying to meet
her.

"I was just beginning to get uneasy about you," he said. "Did you have
any trouble?"

"My taxi broke down," Cecilia answered. "But this lady and gentleman
most kindly gave me a seat, and saved me ever so much troubl