s place in winter makes Nice one of the most attractive
resorts along the Riviera. Only a few miles distant from Nice is the
principality of Monte Carlo, an independent state under a prince who
is absolute ruler of his tiny country. Monaco is but two and a quarter
miles long, while its width varies from a hundred and sixty-five yards
to eleven hundred yards. Yet this "toy country" is large enough to
contain three towns of fair size. The most noted town, Monte Carlo,
stands mainly on a cliff, and is the location of the most notorious
gambling resort in the world, the "Casino."

"I wonder," suggested one of the younger officers, in a rumbling
voice, "if our Government feels that we officers have more money than
we need, and so is sending us to a place where we can get rid of it by
gambling. What do you say, Darrin?"

"Monte Carlo is one of the noted spots of the world," Dave responded
slowly, "and I shall be glad to see a place of which I have heard and
read so much. But I shall not gamble at Monte Carlo. I can make better
use of my money and of my character."

"Bravo!" agreed Totten.

"How long is that strip of beach, the Riviera?" asked one officer of
Lieutenant Commander Wales, the navigating officer.

"From Nice to Genoa, which is what is commonly understood as the real
Riviera," replied the navigating officer; "the distance is one hundred
and sixteen miles. But, beyond Genoa, on the other side, the beach
continues for fifty-six miles to Spezia. On the strip from Genoa to
Spezia the shore is so rocky that it has been found necessary to
construct eighty-odd tunnels through the headlands for the railway
that runs the whole length of the Riviera."

Most of the talk, during that breakfast hour, was about the Riviera,
and much of that had to do with Monte Carlo.

"For years I've wanted very particularly to see that town of Monte
Carlo," Danny Grin confessed.

"Not to gamble, I hope," replied Dave.

"Millions for sight-seeing, but not a cent for gambling," Dalzell
paraphrased lightly.

"Gentlemen," warned Mr. Wales, "don't be too certain that you'll see
Monte Carlo on this cruise. Often the weather is too rough for a
landing in that vicinity."

"And in that case?" queried Lieutenant Totten.

"In that case," replied Wales, "the usual rule is for the ship to go
on to anchorage in the harbor at Genoa."

"Any one know whether the barometer is talking about a storm?" Dalzell
asked.

"That's a foolish question,