t
in the door my hat, my glasses, my steamer rug, my packages of books and
one or two other articles of my outfit. My mind was in a whirl; for the
time I was utterly unable to collect my thoughts. Making a mound of my
luggage in a convenient open space, I sat myself down upon the perch or
seat thus improvised to await a period when the excitement aboard had
perceptibly lessened before seeking out the captain and requesting a
readjustment in regard to my accommodations on his ship. It was due to
this delay that I failed to witness the drawing-out of the ship into
midstream and also missed seeing any of the party entrusted to my care
until after we had passed the Statue of Liberty upon our way to the open
sea. Eventually, by dint of zealous enquiry, I ascertained that the
purser was the person charged with the assignment of berths and
staterooms. Upon my finding him and explaining the situation in language
couched in all possible delicacy, he made suitable apologies and I
presently found myself established in a stateroom which had no other
occupant.

I shall dismiss the early part of the journey with a brief line. For
three days the weather continued pleasant, the surface of the ocean
placid and the voyage without any incident of more than passing moment.
Upon the third evening a ship's concert was given. On being approached
that day after luncheon by the purser, who had assumed charge of the
plans, I readily consented to assist in adding to the pleasure of the
entertainment, especially since the proceeds, as he assured me, were to
be devoted to a most worthy and laudable cause. I told him I would
favour the company with a display of my elocutionary abilities, but
purposely withheld the title of the selection which I meant to recite,
meaning at the proper time to surprise my hearers.

During the course of the afternoon the breeze freshened perceptibly, as
evidenced by a slight rolling movement of the ship. As I was freshening
my garb shortly before the dining hour I experienced a slight sensation
as of dizziness, coupled with a pressure across the forehead, but
attributed this to nothing more serious than a passing touch of
indigestion, to which I am occasionally subject. Besides, I had been
irritated no little upon discovering that in printing the programme of
events the typesetter was guilty of a typographical error as a result
of which my name was set down as Dr. Fiddle. A trifle, it is true, but
an annoying one. Whe