THE SIAMESE CAT
noon. By furious despatch, he managed to get himself, the Holborows, and all their belongings safely on board. Beside him at the rail stood Laura, dressed—as when they first met before the tank of the devil-fish—in blue and white. Her colouring, in the level glow of sunset, was radiant; and her eyes danced with provocation.
"Why," she asked wickedly, "did you dash away so last night? And why is Aunty so mysterious ever since? Where had you two been disporting yourselves?"
"It's a long story," he laughed, "and a strange one. I'd have told you to-day, but didn't see either of you except in this rush, and before people. Maskee! we have the whole voyage for telling it." He could not have helped the rejoicing in his tone. "A good long voyage. But it all begins with the cat. By the way, where is he? I'll show you something—he has a present for you."
[ 169 ]
