passenger list, and yet I see
nobody about!"

"They are all in bed," I answered. "It is getting late, you see, and, if
I am not mistaken, we shall be under way in a few minutes."

"Then, I think, if you'll excuse me for a few moments, I'll go below to
my cabin. I expect Mr. Baxter will be wondering where I am."

When he had left me I turned to the bulwarks and stood looking across
the water at the gleaming lights ashore. One by one the boats alongside
pushed off, and from the sounds that came from for'ard, I gathered that
the anchor was being got aboard. Five minutes later we had swung round
to our course and were facing for the open sea. For the first mile or so
my thoughts chased each other in rapid succession. You must remember
that it was in Naples I had learnt that my darling loved me, and it was
in Naples now that I was bidding good-bye to Europe and to all the
strange events that had befallen me there. I leant upon the rail, looked
at the fast receding country in our wake, at old Vesuvius, fire-capped,
away to port, at the Great Bear swinging in the heavens to the nor'ard,
and then thought of the Southern Cross which, before many weeks were
passed, would be lifting its head above our bows to welcome me back to
the sunny land and to the girl I loved so well. Somehow I felt glad that
the trip to England was over, and that I was on my way home at last.

The steamer ploughed her almost silent course, and three-quarters of an
hour later we were abreast of Capri. As I was looking at it, Lord
Beckenham came down the deck and stood beside me. His first speech told
me that he was still under the influence of his excitement; indeed, he
spoke in rapturous terms of the enjoyment he expected to derive from his
tour.

"Are you sure you will be a good sailor?" I asked.

"Oh, I have no fear of that," he answered confidently. "As you know, I
have been out in my boat in some pretty rough weather and never felt in
the least ill, so I don't think it is likely that I shall begin to be a
bad sailor on a vessel the size of the _Saratoga_. By the way, when are
we due to reach Port Said?"

"Next Thursday afternoon, I believe, if all goes well."

"Will you let me go ashore with you if you go? I don't want to bother
you, but after all you have told me about the place, I should like to
see it in your company."

"I'll take you with pleasure," I answered, "provided Mr. Baxter gives
his consent. I suppose we must regard him as skipp