arson, in
pyjamas and slippers. He explained that he found it too hot to sleep
below, so had come up on deck in the hope of being able to cool off a
bit prior to having another try. He fell into step alongside me, and
began to talk in a low voice, presently turning the conversation to
Kennedy and the queerness of his seemingly rooted conviction that we
should be attacked. I let him talk on until he appeared to have said
all that he had to say upon the subject and was about to go below again,
when I said to him:

"I am glad that you came up on deck, because it affords me an
opportunity to say something that Kennedy's queer talk has rather forced
upon my mind. It is this. If by any chance we should be attacked, will
you undertake to see that Mrs Vansittart, her daughter, and the boy
are, any or all of them, prevented from coming on deck? Their presence
here under such circumstances could be of no possible assistance to us;
on the contrary, it would be a distinct hindrance."

"Yes," acknowledged Monroe; "I see what you mean. But suppose that any
of them should take it into their heads to come on deck, how am I to
prevent them? I have no authority over them, not even over the boy."

"You must bring your moral suasion to bear upon her, if need be," I
said. "Point out to her that the beating off of a piratical attack--Oh!
hang it, what bosh I am talking, to be sure; as though there was the
least likelihood of such a thing! The talk of that ass Kennedy seems to
have hypnotised me as well as himself! But to return to what I was
saying--_if_ such an utterly improbable thing should happen, point out
to her that fighting is men's work, and that the presence of women and
children would be worse than useless at such a time. Let her remain
below herself, and exercise her authority over that boy of hers to make
him stay below also. I don't suppose that Miss Anthea would need any
persuading."

"No," agreed Monroe; "she is all right, and on the whole a very sensible
girl, despite her foolish pride. But let me give you a hint, Leigh. In
the event of, as you say, such an exceedingly unlikely thing as an
attack occurring, don't trust too much to my powers of persuasion, but
act upon your own responsibility. Lock the door of the drawing-room,
and Mrs Vansittart will be unable to get out on deck, however anxious
she may be; and then slip down below and lock Master Julius into his
cabin; that is all you will need to do. T