Monsieur Thuran. "I am very fortunate. I, too, have found that I
must return at once, and now I shall have the honor of accompanying
and serving you."

"That is nice of you, Monsieur Thuran," replied Mrs. Strong. "I am
sure that we shall be glad to place ourselves under your protection."
But in the bottom of her heart was the wish that they might escape
him. Why, she could not have told.

"By Jove!" ejaculated Lord Tennington, a moment later. "Bully
idea, by Jove!"

"Yes, Tennington, of course," ventured Clayton; "it must be a bully
idea if you had it, but what the deuce is it? Goin' to steam to
China via the south pole?"

"Oh, I say now, Clayton," returned Tennington, "you needn't be so
rough on a fellow just because you didn't happen to suggest this
trip yourself--you've acted a regular bounder ever since we sailed.

"No, sir," he continued, "it's a bully idea, and you'll all say
so. It's to take Mrs. Strong and Miss Strong, and Thuran, too,
if he'll come, as far as England with us on the yacht. Now, isn't
that a corker?"

"Forgive me, Tenny, old boy," cried Clayton. "It certainly IS
a corking idea--I never should have suspected you of it. You're
quite sure it's original, are you?"

"And we'll sail the first of the week, or any other time that