was Madeleine.” “My name is Nina, not Madge.” Maseden was taken aback for a few seconds, yet the fact could not be gainsaid that the speaker, whether Madge or Nina, did not repudiate the general accuracy of his statement. Moreover, he was almost sure of his ground now. His “wife” was probably flirting with [Pg 84]Sturgess. Nina, as usual, was left to her own devices, since the forecastle steward had reported that Señor Gray was ill and confined to his cabin. [Pg 84] “At any rate, you do not deny that either your sister or yourself is legally entitled to pose as Mrs. Philip Alexander Maseden?” he said. “I am not aware that either of us can fairly be described as posing in that distinguished capacity.” The retort was glib enough. It amused the man. “Perhaps I put the bald truth rather awkwardly,” he said. “Let me, then, ask a plain question. Did I marry you, or your sister, last Tuesday morning?” “You certainly err if you think that I shall discuss the affairs of my family with a complete stranger,” was the unhesitating answer. “Yet you, or your sister, did not scruple to marry one.” “Are you Mr. Maseden?” “I am. Haven’t I said so? I implied it, at any rate.” “Then why are you in disguise, posing—it is your own word—as a Spanish cowboy?” “Because I’m trying to save my miserable life. Don’t think me ungrateful, madam. I owe [Pg 85]my escape to the phenomenal circumstances brought about by the desire of a charming young lady to become Mrs. Maseden, if only for a brief half hour. I am not claiming any—privileges, shall I say?—on that account. But I can hardly credit that, having gone through the ordeal of such a ceremony, you would refuse to tell me your motive, so I reluctantly revert to my first opinion, namely, that your sister is my wife.” [Pg 85] “Reluctantly! Why reluctantly?”
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