steamer near her bow,
now lay beside the accommodation ladder which hung amidships. A tall
officer stood on the platform outside the bulwarks and looked down at
the Queen. He was a heavily built blonde man with neatly trimmed beard
and moustache. He wore a naval uniform and stood stiffly erect, his
heels together, while he raised his hand to the formal salute. The
Queen spoke to Smith.

"Ask him," she said, "if he will come ashore and breakfast with us."

Before Smith could translate, the officer replied to her.

"I speak English," he said, "it is not necessary that he translate. I
have the honour to present myself--Captain von Moll."

"Very pleased to meet you, Captain von Moll. Won't you come ashore and
breakfast with us?"

"I regret that is impossible," said von Moll. "I am much occupied."

He spoke slowly, pronouncing each word carefully. He looked steadily
at the Queen, not taking his eyes from her face for a moment. His
words were civil. His attitude was strictly correct. But there was
something in his stare which the Queen did not like, a suggestion of
insolence. She felt that this man regarded her as an inferior, a
member of an inferior sex perhaps, or one of an inferior race.
American women, especially American girls, are not accustomed to think
of themselves as men's inferiors. American citizens find it impossible
to believe that any one in the world can look down on them. The Queen
was not annoyed. She was piqued and interested.

"Perhaps," she said, "you will come for luncheon or dinner. We dine at
half-past seven."

Von Moll saluted again with formal politeness.

"I will dine with you," he said, "at half-past seven. Meanwhile I am
sorry that I cannot ask you to come on board and see my ship. My men
are much occupied."

The Queen signed to Kalliope and the boat left the steamer's side.

CHAPTER XVI

Donovan was no more than moderately interested in what his daughter
told him about the strange steamer. She mentioned the fact that the
Captain spoke English with precise correctness.

"They're an educated people, the Germans," said Donovan. "I reckon
there's ten of them know English for one American knows German.
Couldn't do business with us if they didn't learn to talk so as we can
understand them. That's the reason. It isn't fancy trimmings they're
out for, but business; and they're getting it. I wouldn't call them a
smart people. They haven't got the punch of our business men; but
th