e afternoon of the second day the gentle winds of the south
fanned them with their welcoming breath, and heavy wraps began to feel
burdensome.

At first the girls had been afraid that they would become seasick and
had wondered what they would do should such a weakness overtake them.

"I know I'll just lie down and die, if I get sick on this steamer," Bess
had declared.

"Oh, no, you won't, Bess," Nan had made reply. "You'll do as everybody
else has to--grin and bear it."

"But to be sick on a ship that is rolling and pitching all the time----"

"You can keep in your berth, you know."

"There is no fun in that."

"Then go on deck--and make an exhibition of yourself."

"Nan Sherwood, I think that, on occasion, you are utterly heartless."

"So are you."

"Oh, I see. Trying to get square for what I said about Walter Mason."

"Not at all. I am only----"

But there Nan had had to stop, for a sudden lurch of the steamer had
thrown her against the wash-stand. Bess had gone sprawling on the floor.

"I--I didn't think it would be so rough," Bess had gasped out, on
arising.

"I--I don't think it is going to be so awful bad," Nan had declared. And
she had been right. By noon of the second day the sea was quite smooth.
Neither of the girls felt a bit of seasickness and both were glad to go
on deck and enjoy the sunshine.

"What a change since yesterday," said Bess, as the two girls stood by
the rail looking out over the lazily rolling water. "It seems almost
like magic, doesn't it?"

"It's wonderful," breathed Nan happily. "It seemed so silly to pack all
my summer things when the wind was blowing like mad and it was ten above
zero in Tillbury. But now I'm mighty glad we did. Whew, isn't this coat
warm!"

"Cheer up," cried Bess gaily. "Maybe by to-night it will be so warm we
can put all our winter things in storage and blossom out in silk
georgette and white flannels like veritable butterflies from a
crystal--I mean chrysalis. Nan, are you listening to me?" she demanded
severely, for Nan's eyes had deserted the long line of lazy combers and
were following the figures of two men, one long and one short, who were
strolling slowly down the deck.

"Bess, do you see those men?" asked Nan, with a troubled inflection that
caused Bess to look at her sharply.

"Yes, my dear," she answered. "My eyes are still in good working
condition."

"Does there seem anything strange about them?" Nan insisted. "Anything
like spyi