his intrusion of
armed men is only a prelude. I have little doubt of the hostility of
Morris's; I am sure that the men who hid in the hold are spies from
Morris's. I do not yet know the motive for this hostility. But the
Jasper B. is in the midst of dangers and mysteries. There is before us
an affair of some magnitude. Ere the Jasper B. sets sail for the China
Seas, there may be many wounds."

And then he began to outline a plan that had flashed, full formed, into
his mind. It was to rent, or purchase, the buildings at Parker's
Beach, and fit them up as a field hospital, with three or four nurses
in charge. Lady Agatha, who had been listening intently, interrupted.

"But--the China Seas," she said. "Did I understand you to say that
you intend to set sail for the China Seas?"

"That is the ultimate destination of the Jasper B." said Cleggett.

"I have heard--it seems to me that I have heard--that it's a very
dangerous place," ventured Lady Agatha. "Pirates, you know, and all
that sort of thing."

"Pirates," said Cleggett, "abound."

"Well, then," persisted Lady Agatha, "you are going out to fight them?"

"I should not be surprised," said Cleggett, folding his arms, and
standing with his feet spread just a trifle wider than usual, "if the
Jasper B. had a brush or two with them. A brush or two!"

Lady Agatha regarded him speculatively. But admiringly, too.

"But those nurses----" she said. "If you're going to the China Seas
you can't very well take Parker's Beach along."

"I was coming to that," said Cleggett, bowing. "I contemplate a
hospital ship--a vessel supplied with nurses and lint and medicines,
that will accompany the Jasper B., and fly the Red Cross flag."

"But they are frightful people, really, those Chinese pirates, you
know," said Lady Agatha. "Do you think they'll quite appreciate a
hospital ship?"

"It is my duty," said Cleggett, simply. "Whether they appreciate it or
not, a hospital ship they shall have. This is the twentieth century.
And although the great spirits of other days had much to commend them,
it is not to be denied that they knew little of our modern
humanitarianism. It has remained for the twentieth century to develop
that. And one owes a duty to one's epoch as well as to one's
individuality."

"But," repeated Lady Agatha, with a meditative frown, "they are really
FRIGHTFUL people!"

"There is good in all men," said Cleggett, "even in those whom the
stern nece