t came to the push.

Above all, his act must be made to appear an accident. Kitty, alone,
should think as she pleased, being in a position to supply a possible
motive; and, doubtless, her feelings would be heart-rending.

Jack nerved himself to bring this just punishment upon her obduracy and
took up his position on the taffrail with his back to the sea.

His first act was to note whether Kitty, who was promenading the deck
with a subaltern--called to active service--had any idea of his peril.
She had always discouraged his sitting on the taffrail, saying that it
"got on her nerves."

Kitty glanced towards him, and with an air of indifference continued
promenading.

Jack's already sore heart was lacerated. Could there be any sharks
about?

His friend and ally was to be seen idly lounging in the neighbourhood of
a life-buoy suspended against the rails, further aft.

Just as he was about to let go, someone lounging up, remarked on his
unhealthy pallor. "Feeling the motion of the vessel?" he asked Jack, who
did not know what it was to feel sea-sick.

"Not in the least," said Jack wishing him to the devil.

"It must be the smell of kippers. Frankly, I can't stand them. The stink
hangs about all morning, till one feels one is breathing as well as
eating kippers."

"They have an unholy smell," Jack agreed, wondering when the fellow
would move on, or whether his inopportune presence was to be taken as a
warning not to put his mad intention into effect. He was superstitious
enough to believe in omens.

"I rather like _bumlas_, do you?" was the next remark.

"I don't know--oh, yes, I think they are topping."

"Sort of jelly-substance, and when fried crisp, the last word!"

"Oh, damn!" said Jack aching for him to go.

"What's that?" the man asked, protruding an ear forward. "The wind makes
a devil of a noise in these ropes----"

Someone called him off for quoits, and Jack started to tune up his
nerves again for the plunge.

Children ran between him and the line of chairs he faced. He could see
Joyce Meredith listening idly while the ship's doctor talked to her. At
that moment the subaltern took Kitty's hand in his to examine a ring she
was wearing,--an heirloom, with a story,--and this gave the final
stimulus to Jack's sporting resolve. He was seen suddenly to lose his
balance, throw out his arms, and disappear over the side.

On the instant there was wild confusion. Chairs were flung back,
children shrieke