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。\"