packages. This phenomenon was not strange to Helen. A more baffling circumstance was the altered shape of the ship. The familiar lines of the paddle steamer were gone, and Helen was wondering where she might best bestow herself and her tiny valise, when she heard Bower’s voice. “I took the precaution to telegraph from London to one of the ship’s officers,” he said, and nodded toward a couple of waterproof rugs which guarded [Pg 48]a recess behind the Captain’s cabin. “That is our corner, I expect. My friend will be here in a moment.” [Pg 48] Sure enough, a man in uniform approached and lifted his gold laced cap. “We have a rather crowded ship, Mr. Bower,” he said; “but you will be quite comfortable there. I suppose you deemed the weather too fine to need your usual cabin?” “Yes. I have a companion to-day, you see.” Helen was a little bewildered by this; but it was very pleasant to claim undisputed possession of a quiet retreat from which to watch others trying to find chairs. And, although Bower had a place reserved by her side, he did not sit down. He chatted for a few minutes on such eminently safe topics as the smooth sea, the superiority of turbine engines in the matter of steadiness, the advisability of lunching in the train after leaving Calais, rather than on board the ship, and soon betook himself aft, there to smoke and chat with some acquaintances whom he fell in with. Dover Castle was becoming a gray blur on the horizon when he spoke to Helen again. “You look quite comfortable,” he said pleasantly, “and it is wise not to risk walking about if you are afraid of being ill.” “I used to cross in bad weather without consequences,” she answered; “but I am older now, and am doubtful of experiments.” “You were educated abroad, then?” [Pg 49] [Pg 49] “Yes. I was three years in Brussels—three happy years.” “Ah! Why qualify them? All your years are happy, I should imagine, if I may judge by appearances.”
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