o carry out his object.

Poor old Tickell had in vain tried to penetrate their reserve, and find
out something about them, but he had to acknowledge they had seen
through all his cunning devices. He knew everybody and everybody's
business, from one end of the passenger list to the other, with the
exception of these two. His failure here worried him, but still, though
the voyage was fast terminating, he did not lose all hope of finding out
something about them. As luck would have it, he found himself standing
close beside the two who were occupying his thoughts.

"I am sorry we are going to part, gentlemen," he said, affably.

"Yes?" answered Hal, smiling.

"I shall miss your society. You are out here for pleasure, are you not?"

"Now, Tickell, my good fellow, drop all that," said Hal, seeing what was
coming.

"No offence, my dear sir. On business, then?"

"Go to the devil, Tickell--or what is better, go and worry some of the
old women," said Hal, turning away.

"Now, don't get cross, sir."

"You're an infernal old fool," said Reg, fairly losing his temper; and
tucking Hal's arm under his own, strolled away.

"Well, I'm hanged if I can make them out," said Tickell, to Mrs. Morgan,
who had come towards him.

"Found out anything, Mr. Tickell?" asked that lady, sweetly.

"No, just had another try, but no use."

"Wonder if they're criminals escaping from gaol," hazarded Mrs. Morgan,
who had all the romantic imagination of her sex.

"No, more like lords in disguise," said Tickell, thoughtfully.

"You've hit it, Tickell," said Hal, passing by, not having heard the
remark but guessing it referred to them.

"I knew it. I knew it," said Tickell, gleefully, as he rushed below to
spread the news.

"Oh, my lords, I really beg your lordships' pardon," said Mrs. Morgan,
apologetically.

"Pray what for, madam?" asked Reg, wondering if she had lost her senses.

"Well, you see, your lordships, neither me nor my gals ever guessed your
lordships was what you are, or we would not have talked about you so
familiar-like."

"My dear madam, we are no more lords than you are," said Hal, laughing
at the joke.

"Here they are; here they are," cried Tickell, to a little crowd he had
collected. "I found them out; I found them out."

"Found out what, Tickell?" asked Hal.

"I found you out, my lords. I knew all the time you were lords in
disguise, but I did not like to say so," and Tickell skipped about and
snapped his fi