movements of the boat, and I feel a new life stealing through me.  Is Craig really on board?  Was it really he whom Miss Laura here saw?  At the present moment, I really do not care.  I learn from the steward, who arranged my bath this morning, that we are bound for India.  I am very glad to hear it.  It is some time since I saw Bombay, and the thought of these long days of complete peace fills me with a most indescribable satisfaction.”

Quest grunted a little as he knocked the ash from his cigar.

“Not much of the bloodhound about the Professor,” he remarked.  “What about you, Lenora?”

She smiled at him.

“I agree entirely with the Professor,” she murmured, “except that I am not quite so sure that I appreciate the rhythmical movement of the boat as he seems to.  For the rest, I have just that feeling that I would like to go on and on and forget all the horrible things that have happened, to live in a sort of dream, and wake up in a world from which Craig had vanished altogether.”

“Enervating effect this voyage seems to be having upon you all,” Quest grumbled.  “Even Harris there looks far too well contented with life.”

The detective smiled.  He was young and fresh-coloured, with a shrewd but pleasant face.  He glanced involuntarily at Laura as he spoke.

“Well, Mr. Quest,” he said, “I didn’t bring you on the steamer so I don’t feel any responsibility about it, but I must confess that I am enjoying the trip.  I haven’t had a holiday this year.”

Quest struggled to his feet and threw back the rug in his chair.

“If you all persist in turning this into a pleasure cruise,” he remarked, “I suppose I’ll have to alter my own point of view.  Come on, Harris, you and I promised to report to the Captain this morning.  I don’t suppose he’ll be any too pleased with us.  Let’s get through with it.”

The two men walked down the deck together.  They found the Captain alone in his room, with a chart spread out in front of him and a pair of compasses in his hand.  He turned round and greeted them.

“Well?”

“No luck, sir,” Quest announced.  “Your steward has given us every assistance possible and we have searched the ship thoroughly.  Unless he has found a hiding place unknown to your steward, and not apparent to us, the man is not on board.”

The Captain frowned slightly.

“You are not suggesting that that is possible, I suppose?”

Quest did not at once reply.  He was thinking of Laura’s obstinacy.

“Personally,” he admitted, “I should not have believed it possible.  The young lady of our party, however, who declares that she saw Craig board the steamer, is quite immovable.”

The Captain rose to his feet.  He was a man of medium height, strongly built, with short brown beard and keen blue eyes.

“This matter must be cleared up entirely,” he declared brusquely.  “If you will excuse me for a moment, I will talk to the young lady myself.”