Hewasnotintheleastdismayed。
　　"Itakeitthen，"hesaidimportantly，"thatyoudonotwishtoappearagainstthem？"
　　"Idon’twishtoappearinitatall！"Icried。"You’venorighttoannoythatyounglady。Youmustwirethepoliceyouaremistaken。"
　　"Ihavenodesiretoarrestthewoman，"saidKinneystiffly。"InmymessageIdidnotmentionHER。Ifyouwantanadventureofyourown，youmighthelphertoescapewhileIarrestheraccomplices。"
　　"Iobject，"Icried，"toyourapplyingtheword’accomplice’tothatyounglady。AndsupposetheyAREcriminals，"Idemanded，"howwillarrestingthemhelpyou？"
　　Kinney’seyesflashedwithexcitement。
　　"Thinkofthenewspapers，"hecried；"they’llbefullofit！"
　　Alreadyinimaginationhesawtheheadlines。"’ACleverHaul！’"hequoted。"’NotedbandofcrookseludeNewYorkpolice，butarecapturedbyForbesKinney。’"Hesighedcontentedly。"Andthey’llprobablyprintmypicture，too，"headded。
　　IknewIshouldbeangrywithhim，butinsteadIcouldonlyfeelsorry。IhaveknownKinneyforayear，andIhavelearnedthathis"make—believe"isalwaysinnocent。Isupposethatheiswhatiscalledasnob，butwithhimsnobbishnessisnotanunpleasantweakness。Inhiscaseittakestheformofthinkingthatpeoplewhohavecertainthingshedoesnotpossessarebetterthanhimself；andthat，therefore，theymustbeworthknowing，andhetriestomaketheiracquaintance。Buthedoesnotthinkthathehimselfisbetterthananyone。Hislifeisverybareandnarrow。
　　Inconsequence，onmanythingsheplacesfalsevalues。As，forexample，hisdesiretoseehisnameinthenewspapersevenasanamateurdetective。So，whileIwasindignantIalsowassorry。
　　"Joe，"Isaid，"you’regoingtogetyourselfintoanawfullotoftrouble，andthoughIamnotinthisadventure，youknowifIcanhelpyouIwill。"
　　Hethankedmeandwewenttothedining—saloon。There，atatablenearours，wesawthelovelyladyandStumpsandtheAmerican。Sheagainsmiledatme，butthistime，soitseemed，alittledoubtfully。
　　InthemindoftheAmerican，onthecontrary，therewasnodoubt。
　　HeglaredbothatKinneyandmyself，asthoughhewouldliketoboilusinoil。
　　Afterdinner，inspiteofmyprotests，Kinneysetforthtointerviewhimand，ashedescribedit，to"leadhimon"tocommithimself。IfearedKinneywasmuchmorelikelytocommithimselfthantheother，andwhenIsawthemseatedtogetherIwatchedfromadistancewithmuchanxiety。
　　Anhourlater，whileIwasalone，astewardtoldmethepurserwouldliketoseeme。Iwenttohisoffice，andfoundgatheredthereStumps，hisAmericanfriend，thenightwatchmanoftheboat，andthepurser。Asthoughinvitinghimtospeak，thepursernoddedtotheAmerican。Thatgentlemanaddressedmeinanexcitedandbelligerentmanner。
　　"MynameisAldrich，"hesaid；"IwanttoknowwhatYOURnameis？"
　　Ididnotquitelikehistone，nordidIlikebeingsummonedtothepurser’sofficetobequestionedbyastranger。
　　"Why？"Iasked。
　　"Because，"saidAldrich，"itseemsyouhaveSEVERALnames。AsoneofthembelongstoTHISgentleman"——hepointedatStumps——"hewantstoknowwhyyouareusingit。"
　　IlookedatStumpsandhegreetedmewiththevagueandgenialsmilethatwashabitualtohim，butonbeingcaughtintheactbyAldrichhehurriedlyfrowned。
　　"Ihaveneverusedanynamebutmyown，"Isaid；"and，"Iaddedpleasantly，"ifIwerechoosinganameIwouldn’tchoose’Stumps。’"
　　Aldrichfairlygasped。
　　"HisnameisnotStumps！"hecriedindignantly。"HeistheEarlofIvy！"
　　Heevidentlyexpectedmetobesurprisedatthis，andIWAS
　　surprised。Istaredatthemuch—advertisedyoungIrishmanwithinterest。
　　Aldrichmisunderstoodmysilence，andinatriumphanttone，whichwasfarfrompleasant，continued："Soyousee，"hesneered，"whenyouchosetopassyourselfoffasIvyyoushouldhavepickedoutanotherboat。"
　　Thethingwastooabsurdformetobeangry，andIdemandedwithpatience："ButwhyshouldIpassmyselfoffasLordIvy？"
　　"That’swhatweintendtofindout，"snappedAldrich。"Anyway，we’vestoppedyourgameforto—night，andto—morrowyoucanexplaintothepolice！Yourpal，"hetaunted，"hastoldeveryoneonthisboatthatyouareLordIvy，andhe’stoldmeliesenoughaboutHIMSELFtoproveHE’Sanimpostor，too！"
　　Isawwhathadhappened，andthatifIweretoprotectpoorKinneyImustnot，asIfeltinclined，usemyfists，butmyhead。I
　　laughedwithapparentunconcern，andturnedtothepurser。
　　"Oh，that’sit，isit？"Icried。"ImighthaveknownitwasKinney；he’salwaysplayingpracticaljokesonme。"IturnedtoAldrich。"Myfriendhasbeenplayingajokeonyou，too，"Isaid。
　　"Hedidn’tknowwhoyouwere，buthesawyouwereanAnglomaniac，andhe’sbeenhavingfunwithyou！"
　　"Hashe？"roaredAldrich。Hereacheddownintohispocketandpulledoutapieceofpaper。"This，"hecried，shakingitatme，"isacopyofawirelessthatI’vejustsenttothechiefofpoliceatNewBedford。"
　　Withgreatsatisfactionhereaditinaloudandthreateningvoice：
　　"TwoimpostorsonthisboatrepresentingthemselvestobeLordIvy，myfuturebrother—in—law，andhissecretary。LordIvyhimselfonboard。Sendpolicetomeetboat。Wewillmakecharges。——HenryPhilipAldrich。"
　　Itoccurredtomethatafterreceivingtwosuchsensationaltelegrams，andgettingoutofbedtomeettheboatatsixinthemorning，thechiefofpolicewouldbeinastateofmindtoarrestalmostanybody，andthathischoicewouldcertainlyfallonKinneyandmyself。Itwasridiculous，butitalsowaslikelytoproveextremelyhumiliating。SoIsaid，speakingtoLordIvy："There’sbeenamistakeallaround；sendforMr。KinneyandIwillexplainittoyou。"LordIvy，whowaslookingextremelybored，smiledandnodded，butyoungAldrichlaughedironically。
　　"Mr。Kinneyisinhisstate—room，"hesaid，"withastewardguardingthedoorandwindow。Youcanexplainto—morrowtothepolice。"
　　Iroundedindignantlyuponthepurser。
　　"AreyoukeepingMr。Kinneyaprisonerinhisstate—room？"I
　　demanded。"Ifyouare——"
　　"Hedoesn’thavetostaythere，"protestedthepursersulkily。
　　"Whenhefoundthestewardswerefollowinghimhewenttohiscabin。"
　　"Iwillseehimatonce，"Isaid。"AndifIcatchanyofyourstewardsfollowingME，I’lldropthemoverboard。"
　　Noonetriedtostopme——indeed，knowingIcouldnotescape，theyseemedpleasedatmydeparture，andIwenttomycabin。
　　Kinney，seatedontheedgeoftheberth，greetedmewithahollowgroan。Hisexpressionwasoneofuttermisery。Asthoughbeggingmenottobeangry，hethrewouthisarmsappealingly。
　　"Howthedevil！"hebegan，"wasItoknowthatalittlered—headedshrimplikethatwastheEarlofIvy？Andthatthattallblondegirl，"headdedindignantly，"thatIthoughtwasanaccomplice，isLadyMoya，hissister？"
　　"Whathappened？"Iasked。
　　Kinneywaswearinghishat。Hetookitoffandhurledittothefloor。
　　"Itwasthatdamnedhat！"hecried。"It’saHarvardribbon，allright，butonlymenonthecrewcanwearit！HowwasItoknowTHAT？IsawAldrichlookingatitinapuzzledway，andwhenhesaid，’Iseeyouareonthecrew，’Iguessedwhatitmeant，andsaidIwasonlastyear’screw。UnfortunatelyHEwasonlastyear’screw！That’swhatmadehimsuspectme，andafterdinnerheputmethroughathirddegree。Imusthavegiventhewronganswers，forsuddenlyhejumpedupandcalledmeaswindlerandanimpostor。IgotbackbytellinghimhewasacrookandthatIwasadetective，andthatIhadsentawirelesstohavehimarrestedatNewBedford。HechallengedmetoproveIwasadetective，and，ofcourse，Icouldn’t，andhecalleduptwostewardsandtoldthemtowatchmewhilehewentafterthepurser。Ididn’tfancybeingwatched，soIcamehere。"
　　"WhendidyoutellhimIwastheEarlofIvy？"
　　Kinneyranhisfingersthroughhishairandgroaneddismally。
　　"Thatwasbeforetheboatstarted，"hesaid；"itwasonlyajoke。
　　Hedidn’tseemtobeinterestedinmyconversation，soIthoughtI’dlivenitupabitbysayingIwasafriendofLordIvy’s。Andyouhappenedtopass，andIhappenedtorememberMrs。ShawsayingyoulookedlikeaBritishpeer，soIsaid：’ThatismyfriendLordIvy。’IsaidIwasyoursecretary，andheseemedgreatlyinterested，and——"Kinneyaddeddismally，"Italkedtoomuch。IamSOsorry，"hebegged。"It’sgoingtobeawfulforyou！"Hiseyessuddenlylitwithhope。"Unless，"hewhispered。"wecanescape！"
　　Thesamethoughtwasinmymind，buttheideawasabsurd，andimpracticable。Iknewtherewasnoescape。Iknewweweresentencedatsunrisetoamosthumiliatinganddisgracefulexperience。ThenewspaperswouldregardanythingthatconcernedLordIvyasnews。InmyturnIalsosawthehideoushead—lines。
　　WhatwouldmyfatherandmotheratFairportthink；whatwouldmyoldfriendstherethink；and，whatwasofevengreaterimportance，howwouldJoyce&Carboyact？Whatchancewasthereleftme，afterIhadbeenarrestedasanimpostor，tobecomeastenographerinthelawcourts——intime，amemberofthebar？ButIfoundthatwhat，forthemoment，distressedmemostwasthatthelovelyladywouldconsidermeaknaveorafool。Thethoughtmademeexclaimwithexasperation。HaditbeenpossibletoabandonKinney，Iwouldhavedroppedoverboardandmadeforshore。Thenightwaswarmandfoggy，andtheshortjourneytoland，toonewhohadbeenbroughtuplikeaduck，meantnothingmorethanawetting。ButIdidnotseehowIcoulddesertKinney。
　　"Canyouswim？"Iasked"Ofcoursenot！"heansweredgloomily；"and，besides，"headded，"ournamesareonoursuitcases。Wecouldn’ttakethemwithus，andthey’dfindoutwhoweare。Ifwecouldonlystealaboat！"heexclaimedeagerly——"oneofthoseonthedavits，"heurged——"wecouldputoursuitcasesinitandthen，aftereveryoneisasleep，wecouldloweritintothewater。"
　　Thesmallestboatonboardwascertifiedtoholdtwenty—fivepersons，andwithoutwakingtheentireship’scompanywecouldaseasilyhavemovedthechart—room。ThisIpointedout。
　　"Don’tmakeobjections！"Kinneycriedpetulantly。Hewasrapidlyrecoveringhisspirits。Theimminenceofdangerseemedtoinspirehim。
　　"Think！"hecommanded。"ThinkofsomewaybywhichwecangetoffthisboatbeforeshereachesNewBedford。WeMUST！Wemustnotbearrested！Itwouldbetooawful！"Heinterruptedhimselfwithanexcitedexclamation。
　　"Ihaveit！"hewhisperedhoarsely："Iwillringinthefire—alarm！
　　Thecrewwillruntoquarters。Theboatswillbelowered。Wewillcutoneofthemadrift。Intheconfusion——"
　　Whatwastohappenintheconfusionthathisimaginationhadconjuredup，Iwasnottoknow。ForwhatactuallyhappenedwassoconfusedthatofnothingamIquitecertain。First，fromthewateroftheSound，thatwaslappingpleasantlyagainsttheside，Iheardthevoiceofamanraisedinterror。Thencamearushoffeet，oaths，andyells；thenashockthatthrewustoourknees，andacrunching，ripping，andtearingroarlikethatmadebytheroofofaburningbuildingwhenitplungestothecellar。
　　Andthenextinstantalargebowspritenteredourcabinwindow。
　　Therewasleftmejustspaceenoughtowrenchthedooropen，andgrabbingKinney，whowasstillonhisknees，Idraggedhimintothealleyway。Hescrambleduprightandclaspedhishandstohishead。
　　"Where’smyhat？"hecried。
　　Icouldhearthewaterpouringintothelowerdeckandsweepingthefreightandtrunksbeforeit。Ahorseinaboxstallwassquealinglikeahumanbeing，andmanyhumanbeingswerescreamingandshriekinglikeanimals。Myfirstintelligentthoughtwasofthelovelylady。IshookKinneybythearm。TheuproarwassogreatthattomakehimhearIwasforcedtoshout。"WhereisLordIvy’scabin？"Icried。"Yousaidit’snexttohissister’s。Takemethere！"
　　Kinneynodded，andrandownthecorridorandintoanalleywayonwhichopenedthreecabins。Thedoorswereajar，andasIlookedintoeachIsawthatthebedshadnotbeentouched，andthatthecabinswereempty。Iknewthenthatshewasstillondeck。IfeltthatImustfindher。Werantowardthecompanionway。
　　"Womenandchildrenfirst！"Kinneywasyelling。"Womenandchildrenfirst！"Asweraceddowntheslantingfloorofthesaloonhekeptrepeatingthismechanically。Atthatmomenttheelectriclightswentout，and，exceptfortheoillamps，theshipwasindarkness。Manyofthepassengershadalreadygonetobed。Thesenowburstfromthestate—roomsinstrangegarments，carryinglife—
　　preservers，hand—bags，theirarmsfullofclothing。Onemaninonehandclutchedasponge，intheotheranumbrella。Withthishebeatatthosewhoblockedhisflight。Hehitawomanoverthehead，andIhithimandhewentdown。Findinghimselfonhisknees，bebegantoprayvolubly。
　　Whenwereachedtheupperdeckwepushedoutofthecrushatthegangwayand，tokeepourfooting，fortherewasastronglisttoport，clungtothebigflag—staffatthestern。Ateachrailthecrewwereswingingtheboatsovertheside，andaroundeachboatwasacrazy，fightingmob。Aboveourstarboardrailtoweredtheforemastofaschooner。Shehadrammedusfairamidships，andinherbowswasaholethroughwhichyoucouldhaverowedaboat。
　　Intothisthewaterwasrushingandsuckingherdown。Shewasalreadysettlingatthestern。BythelightofaswinginglanternIsawthreeofhercrewliftayawlfromherdeckandloweritintothewater。Intoittheyhurledoarsandasail，andoneofthemhadalreadystartedtoslidedownthepainterwhentheschoonerlurcheddrunkenly；andinapanicallthreeofthemenranforwardandleapedtoourlowerdeck。Theyawl，abandoned，swungidlybetweenthePatienceandtheschooner。Kinney，seeingwhatIsaw，grabbedmebythearm。
　　"There！"hewhispered，pointing；"there’sourchance！"Isawthat，withsafety，theyawlcouldholdathirdperson，andastowhothethirdpassengerwouldbeIhadalreadymadeupmymind。
　　"Waithere！"Isaid。
　　OnthePatiencethereweremanyimmigrants，onlythatafternoonreleasedfromEllisIsland。Theyhadswarmedintothelife—boatsevenbeforetheywereswungclear，andwhentheship’sofficersdrovethemoff，thepoorsouls，notbeingabletounderstand，believedtheywerebeingsacrificedforthesafetyoftheotherpassengers。Soeachwasfighting，ashethought，forhislifeandforthelivesofhiswifeandchildren。AttheedgeofthescrimmageIdraggedouttwowomenwhohadbeenknockedofftheirfeetandwhowereindangerofbeingtrampled。ButneitherwasthewomanIsought。Inthehalf—darknessIsawoneoftheimmigrants，agirlwitha’kerchiefonherhead，strugglingwithherlife—belt。
　　Astoker，asheracedpast，seizeditandmadefortherail。InmyturnItookitfromhim，andhefoughtforit，shouting：
　　"It’severymanforhimselfnow！"
　　"Allright，"Isaid，forIwasexcitedandangry，"lookoutforYOURSELFthen！"Ihithimonthechin，andheletgoofthelife—
　　beltanddropped。
　　Iheardatmyelbowalow，excitedlaugh，andavoicesaid："Wellbowled！Youneverlearnedthatinanoffice。"Iturnedandsawthelovelylady。Itossedtheimmigrantgirlherlife—belt，andasthoughIhadknownLadyMoyaallmylifeItookherbythehandanddraggedheraftermedownthedeck。
　　"Youcomewithme！"Icommanded。IfoundthatIwastremblingandthataweightofanxietyofwhichIhadnotbeenconscioushadbeenlifted。IfoundIwasstillholdingherhandandpressingitinmyown。"ThankGod！"Isaid。"IthoughtIhadlostyou！"
　　"Lostme！"repeatedLadyMoya。Butshemadenocomment。"Imustfindmybrother，"shesaid。
　　"Youmustcomewithme！"Iordered。"GowithMr。Kinneytothelowerdeck。Iwillbringthatrowboatunderthestern。Youwilljumpintoit。
　　"Icannotleavemybrother！"saidLadyMoya。
　　Upontheword，asthoughshotfromacannon，thehumanwhirlpoolthatwassweepingthedeckamidshipscastoutStumpsandhurledhimtowardus。Hissistergavealittlecryofrelief。Stumpsrecoveredhisbalanceandshookhimselflikeadogthathasbeeninthewater。
　　"ThoughtI’dnevergetoutofitalive！"heremarkedcomplacently。
　　InthedarknessIcouldnotseehisface，butIwassurehewasstillvaguelysmiling。"Worsethanafoot—ballnight！"heexclaimed；"worsethanMafekingnight！"
　　Hissisterpointedtotheyawl。
　　"Thisgentlemanisgoingtobringthatboathereandtakeusawayinit，"shetoldhim。"Wehadbettergowhenwecan！"
　　"Rightho！"assentedStumpscheerfully。"HowaboutPhil？He’sjustbehindme。"
　　Ashespoke，onlyafewyardsfromusapeevishvoicepiercedthetumult。
　　"Itellyou，"itcried，"youmustfindLordIvy！IfLordIvy——"
　　AvoicewithastrongandbrutalAmericanaccentyelledinanswer：
　　"TohellwithLordIvy！"
　　LadyMoyachuckled。
　　"Gettothelowerdeck！"Icommanded。"Iamgoingfortheyawl。"
　　AsIslippedmylegovertherailIheardLordIvysay："I’llfindPhilandmeetyou。"
　　Idroppedandcaughttherailofthedeckbelow，and，hangingfromit，shovedwithmykneesandfellintothewater。Twostrokesbroughtmetotheyawl，and，scramblingintoherandcastingheroff，Ipaddledbacktothesteamer。AsIlayunderthesternI
　　heardfromthelowerdeckthevoiceofKinneyraisedimportantly。
　　"Ladiesfirst！"hecried。"Herladyshipfirst，Imean，"hecorrected。Evenonleavingwhathebelievedtobeasinkingship，Kinneycouldnotforgethismanners。ButMr。Aldrichhadevidentlyforgottenhis。Iheardhimshoutindignantly："I’llbedamnedifI
　　do！"
　　ThevoiceofLadyMoyalaughed。
　　"You’llbedrownedifyoudon’t！"sheanswered。Isawablackshadowpoisedupontherail。"Steadybelowthere！"hervoicecalled，andthenextmoment，aslightlyasasquirrel，shedroppedtothethwartandstumbledintomyarms。
　　ThevoiceofAldrichwasagainraisedinanger。"I’dratherdrown！"hecried。
　　LordIvyrespondedwithunexpectedspirit。
　　"Well，then，drown！Thewateriswarmandit’sapleasingdeath。"
　　Atthat，withabump，hefellinaheapatmyfeet。
　　"Easy，Kinney！"Ishouted。"Don’tswampus！"
　　"I’llbecareful！"hecalled，andthenextinstanthitmyshouldersandIshookhimoffontopofLordIvy。
　　"Getoffmyhead！"shoutedhislordship。
　　Kinneyapologizedtoeveryoneprofusely。LadyMoyaraisedhervoice。
　　"Forthelasttime，Phil，"shecalled，"areyoucomingorareyounot？"
　　"Notwiththoseswindlers，I’mnot！"heshouted。"Ithinkyoutwoaremad！Iprefertodrown！"
　　Therewasanuncomfortablesilence。Mypositionwasadifficultone，and，notknowingwhattosay，Isaidnothing。
　　"Ifonemustdrown！"exclaimedLadyMoyabriskly，"Ican’tseeitmatterswhoonedrownswith。"
　　InhisstrangelyexplosivemannerLordIvyshoutedsuddenly："Phil，you’reasillyass。"
　　"Pushoff！"commandedLadyMoya。
　　Ithink，fromhertone，theorderwasgivenmoreforthebenefitofAldrichthanformyself。Certainlyitwaseffective，forontheinstanttherewasaheavysplash。LordIvysniffedscornfullyandmanifestednointerest。
　　"Ah！"heexclaimed，"hepreferstodrown！"
　　Sputteringandgasping，Aldrichroseoutofthewater，and，whilewebalancedtheboat，climbedovertheside。
　　"Understand！"hecriedevenwhilehewasstillgasping，"Iamhereunderprotest。IamheretoprotectyouandStumps。Iamunderobligationtonoone。I’m——"
　　"Canyourow？"Iasked。
　　"Whydon’tyouaskyourpal？"hedemandedsavagely；"herowedonlastyear’screw。"
　　"Phil！"criedLadyMoya。HervoicesuggestedatemperIhadnotsuspected。"Youwillroworyoucangetoutandwalk！Taketheoars，"shecommanded，"andbecivil！"LadyMoya，withthetillerinherhand，satinthestern；Stumps，withKinneyhuddledathisknees，wasstowedawayforward。ItookthestrokeandAldrichthebowoars。
　　"WewillmakefortheConnecticutshore，"Isaid，andpulledfromunderthesternofthePatience。
　　Inafewminuteswehadlostallsightand，exceptforherwhistle，allsoundofher；andweourselveswerelostinthefog。Therewasanothereloquentandembarrassingsilence。Unless，inthepanic，theytrampleduponeachother，Ihadnorealfearforthesafetyofthoseonboardthesteamer。BeforewehadabandonedherIhadheardthewirelessfranticallysputteringthe"standby"call，andI
　　wascertainthatalreadythebigboatsoftheFallRiver，Providence，andJoylines，andlaunchesfromeverywirelessstationbetweenBridgeportandNewport，weremakingtowardher。Butthemarginofsafety，whichtomythinkingwasbroadenoughforalltheotherpassengers，forthelovelyladywasinnowaysufficient。
　　Thatmob—sweptdeckwasnoplaceforher。Iwashappythat，onheraccount，Ihadnotwaitedforapossiblerescue。Intheyawlshewassafe。Thewaterwassmooth，andtheConnecticutshorewas，I
　　judged，notmorethanthreemilesdistant。Inanhour，unlessthefogconfusedus，Ifeltsurethelovelyladywouldagainwalksafelyupondryland。Selfishly，onKinney’saccountandmyown，I
　　wasdelightedtofindmyselffreeofthesteamer，andfromanychanceofherlandinguswherepolicewaitedwithopenarms。TheavengingangelinthepersonofAldrichwasstillnearus，sonearthatIcouldhearthewaterdrippingfromhisclothes，buthispowertoharmwasgone。Iwascongratulatingmyselfonthiswhensuddenlyheundeceivedme。ApparentlyhehadbeenconsideringhispositiontowardKinneyandmyself，and，havingarrivedataconclusion，wasanxioustoannounceit。
　　"Iwishtorepeat，"heexclaimedsuddenly，"thatI’munderobligationstonobody。Justbecausemyfriends，"hewentondefiantly，"choosetotrustthemselveswithpersonswhooughttobeinjail，Ican’tdesertthem。It’sallthemorereasonwhyI
　　SHOULDN’Tdesertthem。That’swhyI’mhere！AndIwantitunderstoodassoonasIgetonshoreI’mgoingtoapolicestationandhavethosepersonsarrested。"
　　Risingoutofthefogthathadrenderedeachofusinvisibletotheother，hiswordssoundedfantasticandunreal。Inthedrippingsilence，brokenonlybyhoarsewarningsthatcamefromnodirection，andwithinthemindofeachtheconvictionthatwewerelost，policestationsdidnotimmediatelyconcernus。Sonoonespoke，andinthefogthewordsdiedawayandweredrowned。ButI
　　wasgladhehadspoken。AtleastIwasforewarned。InowknewthatIhadnotescaped，thatKinneyandIwerestillindanger。I
　　determinedthatsofarasitlaywithme，ouryawlwouldbebeachedatthatpointonthecoastofConnecticutfarthestremoved，notonlyfrompolicestations，butfromallhumanhabitation。
　　AssoonaswewereoutofhearingofthePatienceandherwhistle，wecompletelylostourbearings。ItmaybethatLadyMoyawasnotaskilledcoxswain，oritmaybethatAldrichunderstandsaracingscullbetterthanayawl，andpulledtooheavilyonhisright，butwhateverthecausewesoonwerehopelesslylost。Inthispredicamentwewerenotalone。Thenightwasfilledwithfog—
　　horns，whistles，bells，andthethrobofengines，butweneverwerenearenoughtohailthevesselsfromwhichthesoundscame，andwhenwerowedtowardthemtheyinvariablysankintosilence。AftertwohoursStumpsandKinneyinsistedontakingaturnattheoars，andLadyMoyamovedtothebow。Wegaveherourcoats，and，makingcushionsofthese，sheannouncedthatshewasgoingtosleep。
　　Whethershesleptornot，Idonotknow，butsheremainedsilent。
　　Forthreemoredrearyhourswetookturnsattheoarsordozedatthebottomoftheboatwhilewecontinuedaimlesslytodriftuponthefaceofthewaters。Itwasnowfiveo’clock，andthefoghadsofarlightenedthatwecouldseeeachotherandastretchofopenwater。Atintervalsthefog—hornsofvesselspassingus，buthiddenfromus，tormentedAldrichtoastateofextremeexasperation。Hehailedthemwithfranticshrieksandshouts，andStumpsandtheLadyMoyashoutedwithhim。IfearKinneyandmyselfdidnotcontributeanygreatvolumeofsoundtothegeneralchorus。Tobe"rescued"wasthelastthingwedesired。Theyachtortugthatwouldreceiveusonboardwouldalsoputusonshore，wherethevindictiveAldrichwouldhaveusathismercy。Wepreferredthefreedomofouryawlandtheshelterofthefog。OursilencewasnotlostuponAldrich。Forsometimehehadbeencrouchinginthebow，whisperingindignantlytoLadyMoya；nowheexclaimedaloud：
　　"WhatdidItellyou？"hecriedcontemptuously；"theygotawayinthisboatbecausetheywereafraidofME，notbecausetheywereafraidofbeingdrowned。Ifthey’venothingtobeafraidof，whyaretheysoanxioustokeepusdriftingaroundallnightinthisfog？Whydon’ttheyhelpusstoponeofthosetugs？"
　　LordIvyexplodedsuddenly。
　　"Rot！"heexclaimed。"Ifthey’reafraidofyou，whydidtheyaskyoutogowiththem？"
　　"Theydidn’t！"criedAldrich，truthfullyandtriumphantly。"TheykidnappedyouandMoyabecausetheythoughttheycouldsquarethemselveswithYOU。Buttheydidn’twantME！"Theissuehadbeenfairlystated，andnolongerwithself—respectcouldIremainsilent。
　　"Wedon’twantyounow！"Isaid。"Can’tyouunderstand，"Iwentonwithasmuchself—restraintasIcouldmuster，"wearewillingandanxioustoexplainourselvestoLordIvy，oreventoyou，butwedon’twanttoexplaintothepolice？MyfriendthoughtyouandLordIvywerecrooks，escaping。YouthinkWEarecrooks，escaping。
　　Youboth——"
　　Aldrichsnortedcontemptuously。
　　"That’salikelystory！"hecried。"Nowonderyoudon’twanttotellTHATtothepolice！"
　　Fromthebowcameanexclamation，andLadyMoyarosetoherfeet。
　　"Phil！"shesaid，"youboreme！"ShepickedherwayacrossthethwarttowhereKinneysatatthestrokeoar。
　　"MybrotherandIoftenrowtogether，"shesaid；"Iwilltakeyourplace。"
　　Whenshehadseatedherselfweweresonearthathereyeslookeddirectlyintomine。Drawingintheoars，sheleaneduponthemandsmiled。
　　"Now，then，"shecommanded，"tellusallaboutit。"
　　BeforeIcouldspeaktherecamefrombehindherasuddenradiance，andasthoughacurtainhadbeensnatchedaside，thefogflewapart，andthesun，dripping，crimson，andgorgeous，sprangfromthewaters。Fromtheotherstherewasacryofwonderanddelight，andfromLordIvyashriekofincredulouslaughter。
　　LadyMoyaclappedherhandsjoyfullyandpointedpastme。Iturnedandlooked。Directlybehindme，notfiftyfeetfromus，wasashelvingbeachandastonewharf，andaboveitavine—coveredcottage，fromthechimneyofwhichsmokecurledcheerily。Hadtheyawl，whileLadyMoyawastakingtheoars，NOTswunginacircle，andhadthesunNOTrisen，inthreeminutesmorewewouldhavebumpedourselvesintotheStateofConnecticut。Thecottagestoodononehornofatinyharbor。Beyondit，weather—beatenshingledhouses，sail—lofts，andwharfsstretchedcosilyinahalf—circle。
　　Backofthemrosesplendidelmsandthedelicatespireofachurch，andfromtheunruffledsurfaceoftheharborthemastsofmanyfishing—boats。Acrossthewater，onagrass—grownpoint，awhitewashedlight—houseblushedinthecrimsongloryofthesun。
　　Exceptforanoyster—maninhisboatattheendofthewharf，andthesmokefromthechimneyofhiscottage，thelittlevillageslept，theharborslept。Itwasapictureofperfectcontent，confidence，andpeace。"Oh！"criedtheLadyMoya，"howpretty，howpretty！"
　　LordIvyswungthebowaboutandracedtowardthewharf。Theothersstoodupandcheeredhysterically。
　　Atthesoundandatthesightofusemergingsomysteriouslyfromthefog，themaninthefishing—boatraisedhimselftohisfullheightandstaredasincredulouslyasthoughhebeheldamermaid。
　　Hewasanoldman，butstraightandtall，andtheoysterman’sbootsstretchingtohishipsmadehimappeareventallerthanhewas。Hehadabristlingwhitebeardandhisfacewastannedtoafiercecoppercolor，buthiseyeswereblueandyoungandgentle。Theylitsuddenlywithexcitementandsympathy。
　　"AreyoufromthePatience？"heshouted。Inchorusweansweredthatwewere，andIvypulledtheyawlalongsidethefisherman’sboat。
　　Butalreadytheoldmanhadturnedand，makingamegaphoneofhishands，wasshoutingtothecottage。
　　"Mother！"hecried，"mother，herearefolksfromthewreck。Getcoffeeandblanketsand——andbacon——andeggs！"
　　"MaytheLordblesshim！"exclaimedtheLadyMoyadevoutly。
　　ButAldrich，excitedandeager，pulledoutarollofbillsandshookthemattheman。
　　"Doyouwanttoearntendollars？"hedemanded；"thenchaseyourselftothevillageandbringtheconstable。"
　　LadyMoyaexclaimedbitterly，LordIvyswore，Kinneyindespairutteredadismalhowlanddroppedhisheadinhishands。
　　"It’snouse，Mr。Aldrich，"Isaid。Seatedinthestern，theothershadhiddenmefromthefisherman。NowIstoodupandhesawme。Ilaidonehandonhis，andpointedtothetinbadgeonhissuspender。
　　"Heisthevillageconstablehimself，"Iexplained。Iturnedtothelovelylady。"LadyMoya，"Isaid，"Iwanttointroduceyoutomyfather！"Ipointedtothevine—coveredcottage。"That’smyhome，"Isaid。Ipointedtothesleepingtown。"That，"Itoldher，"isthevillageofFairport。Mostofitbelongstofather。
　　Youareallverywelcome。"