-pink ribbon that had lately lain upon the Mermaid's shoulder.

We received him delightedly. The Mermaid's garments had been placed by
the thoughtful chambermaid in a little dressing-case. Mine were tied
together with a piece of string, after the manner of costumes at
Nathan's. But they were all right.

The girl started to dress behind a rock, and I told the fellow to wait
at the foot of the path. "I have reason," I said, "reason to believe
that there are others even now in the same or self-same plight as that
in which you found us. Therefore remain within call. Don't
investigate for yourself. This is my show. But don't go."

He promised.

Half an hour later he was once more on his way to the hotel with a note
from me for Daphne's maid, and the promise of half a sovereign, while
the Mermaid and I stood at the top of the path which led down to the
cove where the rest of my party were chafing in exasperated
idleness--with the exception of Berry, that is. Prior to our arrival,
he had been hovering about on the top of the cliff, but the instant he
descried us, and while we were yet a great way off, he had retired
precipitately, and was now busy rejoining the others with Agag's walk
and a profusion of embryo profanity. He explained afterwards that if
he had been wearing his own bathing-dress, instead of a green and red
striped one--his own was being mended--he should have remained, but
that he did not like to be seen wearing the colours of the Redruth
Rangers before he had been elected.

After waiting a minute or two to compose ourselves and settle finally
our plan of action, we followed gaily in Berry's wake.

I was just saying in a clear voice that, perhaps, it was rather soon
after lunch to bathe again, when we came upon them the other side of a
large rock. One and all they sprawled easily on the sand in the hot
sunshine, as if care were a thing of the past--forgotten, never known.

This was no more than I had expected of them. All of us hate to be
caught bending. Berry especially. That artist was busily fashioning a
miniature rampart of sand. He looked up at my greeting, and rose to
his feet.

I introduced them all to the Mermaid.

"We made friends at lunch," I explained, "over the lobsters."

Jonah winced.

"And then, as we wanted a walk, we thought we'd come along to fetch you
back to tea."

There was a polite murmur of appreciation.

"I must say," I went on, "it is glorious. I almost wi