The speaker was Mlle. Nadiboff.

“She looks as sweet and as contented as ever,” thought the submarine boy, with some wonder.  “Really, she doesn’t look as though a care had crossed her path.”

“Can you furnish me with a chauffeur, and order my car up?” Mlle. Nadiboff was inquiring.

“I am very sorry, Mademoiselle, but we haven’t a single chauffeur that we can spare,” replied the clerk, respectfully.

“Then may I rent one of your own cars, with a man to drive it?”

“Again, I am very sorry, Mademoiselle, but all the hotel cars are engaged.”

The pretty Russian stamped her foot impatiently.

“Oh, no matter, then,” she cried.  “I will go to the garage and take out my own car.  I know how to manage it.”

“I regret very much to have to report, Mademoiselle,” replied the clerk, speaking as respectfully as ever, “that one of the hind wheels has been removed from your car.”

Mlle. Nadiboff stared at the clerk in amazement.

“Who has dared do such a thing?” she demanded, angrily.

“I am sorry, but I do not know,” answered the clerk.

“Then I suppose it would be impossible, even, for me to hire one of your livery rigs?” she continued icily.

“You have guessed right, Mademoiselle.”

“Oh, but this is insupportable!” cried the pretty Russian, turning away.

As she did so, she caught sight of Jack Benson for the first time.

“Oh, I would like just a word with you, my Captain,” she called softly, moving after the boy, who had started toward the door.

She overtook Jack, resting a gloved hand on his sleeve.

“Do not stop,” she urged, softly.  “I will keep on with you, out onto the veranda.”

In silence Jack stepped outside with her.  Mr. Farnum had vanished for the moment, so Benson was alone with his pretty companion.

“Now, tell me, my Captain,” she begged, “why it is that I cannot get either my own car, or any other conveyance, for a little drive?”

“I could only guess, Mlle. Nadiboff, and you can do that as well as I,” Jack replied, gravely.

“But I desire you should guess for me, my Captain.  What do you say?” she insisted, her eyes scanning his grave face.

“At the risk of seeming rude, Mademoiselle, I am not going to be prying enough to make any guesses about your affairs,” Captain Benson answered, quickly.

He thought he had gotten out of the matter as cleverly as it could be done.

“Some one is taking altogether too great an interest in my affairs, my Captain.  I trust you have no hand in it, for it is possible that interference with my comfort will prove dangerous to the offenders.  Yet, pardon me, for I am sure that you, my Captain, would not cause me any uneasiness.  Let those who do beware!”

As she let go of his arm and turned to go inside, Mlle. Nadiboff’s smile was bright, almost friendly.  Yet back of that smile, in her expressive eyes, lurked a look that made the boy start.