at this is leading up to," cried Bobby, accusingly.

"What?" asked Percival, catching his lip between his teeth and looking
at her with devouring eyes.

"A medal!"

"Much more serious. As a matter of fact, the truth is, I've been trying
to get a minute alone with you all day. There's something I want--"

"Oh, yes, I know. It's that Manchu coat. You want it to pack, of course.
I'll get it now."

But his fingers held hers fast to the saucer.

"You stupid child! You don't understand. It's yours, everything I have
is--"

"Oh, goody! Here's the rain!" cried Bobby. "Andy bet me ten pounds of
candy it wouldn't come before night. Quick, let me put your cup under
the chair. Don't bother about the cushions."

"But there's something I've _got_ to say to you. You must listen to
me!"

"I'll listen to anything you like in the music-room just so it isn't
'Tales from Hoffman.' Come, we'll have to hurry!"

Percival, with his passion once more arrested, strode after her
furiously. He was intolerant of every moment that passed before be
claimed her for his own, and unable longer to restrain his mad desire to
fold her in his arms.

In the midst of these fervent anticipations he was unpleasantly aware of
the increased motion of the ship. It was the first time he had felt that
pitching, rolling motion since leaving the Golden Gate, and he shuddered
involuntarily.

"Here's a cozy little corner all to ourselves!" cried Bobby, tossing the
cushions into a nook in the music-room, and inviting him to a place
beside her.

But Percival remained standing in the doorway, supporting himself with
his free hand, his eyes fixed on space, and a leaden color spreading
over his face.

"If you don't mind," he said slowly, "I think I'll go below. Feel the
storm a bit in my head. Atmospheric pressure, you know."

"Of course you do," cried Bobby, all solicitude. "It's no wonder, after
the blood you lost last night. Sit right down there until I find
Judson."

XV

PERCIVAL RISES TO AN OCCASION

During the two nights and days that followed the typhoon had everything
its own way. The sea bellowed with rage, and battalion after battalion
of mountainous waves charged the ship, only to fall back and form again.
For thirty consecutive hours the captain stayed on the bridge watching
every variation in the glass, and keeping all of his Nelson features in
active service. Whatever frivolities might fill his idle hours, there
was no question