The Spectator., 1915-05-21

l Chatter wants to see them. Ths en- gineer says there's something strained that we must get mended. But by the way he added, why don't you dine with us on board tonight? Do. l We can give you few English things that may be a change to you
 This invitation l gladly accepted for two reasons. One was because the suspicious of the captain of the port had aroused my curiosity, and the oth- CT was because had, honestly speak ing, taken great fancy to Hornby.
 The captain of the Lola, a short, thickset Scotsman from Dundee. with a barely healed cicatrice across his left cheek, called at the consulate at two o'clock and made his report, which appeared to me to be a very lame one. He struck me as being unworthy his certificate, for he was evidently en- tirely out of his bearings when the ac- cident occurred. The owner and his friend Chatter were in their berths asleep, when suddenly he discovered that the vessel was making no head way. They had. in fact, run upon the dangerous shoal without being aware of it. A strong sea was running with a stif breeze, and although his sea. manship was poor. he was capable enough to recognize at once that they were in a very perilous position.
 Very fortunate it wasn't more seri- ous. sir." he added, after telling me his story, which I wrote at his dicta- , tion for the ultimate benefit of the board of trade.
 Didn't you send up signals of dis tress?" inquired
 No. sir-never thought of it."
 And yet you knew that you might be lost?" I remarked with recurring suspicion.
 | The canny Scot. whose name was Macintosh, hesitated a few moments, then answered.: Well, sir. you see the fishing-boat had sighted us. and we saw her turning back to port to fetch help"
 How long have you been in MT. Hornby's service?" I inquired
 Six months, sir" was the mans reply. Before he engaged me. I was with the Wilson's of Hull. running up the Baltic. I've held my masters cer- tificate these fifteen years, sir was with the Bibbys before the Will sons. and before that with the Gen. eral Steam. l did eight years in the Mediterranean with them, when was chief mate"
 And you've never been into Leg horn before?"
 | Never, sir"
 I dismissed the captain with dis tinct impression that he had not told me the whole truth. Was it possible that an attempt had actually been made to cast away the yacht. and that it had been frustrated by the master of the felucca. who had sighted the vessel aground? How. I wondered. had the captain received that very ugly wound across the cheek? l was half-inclined to inquire of him.
 That evening when the fiery sun was sinking in its crimson glory I took a cab along the old sea-road to i the port where, within the innef har- bor, found the Lola, one of the most magnificent private vessels had ever seen. Her dimensions surprised me. She was painted dead white. with shining brass everywhere At the stern hung Imply the British flag. at the masthead the ensign of the Royal Yacht squadron
 On stepping on deck Hornby came | forward to greet me, and took me along to the stern where. lying in a long wicker deck-chair beneath the awning, was a tall. dark-eyed, clean. shaven man of about forty, His keen | face gave one the impression that he was a barrister
 My friend. Hylton Chater-Mr. Gordon Gregg" he said. introducing us. and the clean-shaven man ex- claimed. smiling pleasantly: Glad to make your acquaintance. Mir Gregg, You are not a stranger by any means to Hornby or myself. Indeed, we've got a couple of your books on board, But had no idea you lived out here"
 At Ardenza.' said. Three miles along the seashore. Tomorrow l hope you'll both come and dine with me"
 Delighted. I'm sure" declared Horn by. and then We began chatting about the peril of the previous night. Horn | by telling me how he had copied the two letters of thanks in Italian and sent them to their respective ad- dresses. Well. you certainly did the right thing to thank the admiral" l said, , Its very unusual for him to send out torpedo-boats to help a vessel in dis tress. That is generally left to the harbor tug"
 Yes. feel that it was most kind of him. That's why l took all the trouble to write. l don't understand word of Italian. neither does Cha ter"
 But you have Italians on board?" remarked. "The two sailors who rowed me out are Genoese. from their