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Dr。 Farnsworth； as Cleggett knew； was just out of medical school。 He
had his degree； but no patients。 But he was bold and ready。 He was； in
short； just the lad to welcome with enthusiasm such a chance for active
service as the cruise of the Jasper B。 promised to afford。
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It was something of a risk to weaken his little party by sending George
away for several hours。 But Cleggett did not hesitate。 He was not the
man to allow considerations of personal safety to outweigh his devotion to
an ideal。
〃And now；〃 said Cleggett； turning to Lady Agatha； who had hearkened
to his orders to George with a bright smile of approval； 〃we will dine； and
I will hear the rest of your story； which was so rudely interrupted。 It is
possible that together we may be able to find some solution of your
problem。〃
〃Dine！〃 exclaimed Lady Agatha； eagerly。 〃Yes； let us dine！ It may
sound incredible to you； Mr。 Cleggett； that the daughter of an English peer
and the widow of a baronet should confess that； except for your tea； she
has scarcely eaten for twenty…four hoursbut it is so！〃
Then she said； sadly； with a sign and sidelong glance at the box of
Reginald Maltravers which stood near the cabin companionway dripping
coldly： 〃Until now； Mr。 Cleggettuntil your aid had given me fresh hope
and strengthI had； indeed； very little appetite。〃
Cleggett followed her gaze； and it must be admitted that he himself
experienced a momentary sense of depression at the sight of the box of
Reginald Maltravers。 It looked so damp； it looked so chill； it looked so
starkly and patiently and malevolently watchful of himself and Lady
Agatha。 In a flash his lively fancy furnished him with a picture of the
box of Reginald Maltravers suddenly springing upright and hopping
towards him on one end with a series of stiff jumps that would send drops
of moisture flying from the cracks and seams and make the ice inside of it
clink and tinkle。 And the mournful Elmer； now drowsing callously over
his charge； was not an invitation to be blithe。 If Cleggett himself were so
affected （he mused） what must be the effect of the box of Reginald
Maltravers upon sensibilities as fine and delicate as those of a woman like
Lady Agatha Fairhaven？
〃Could Iif I might〃 Lady Agatha hesitated； with a glance towards
the cabin。 Cleggett instantly divined her thought； for brief as was their
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THE CRUISE OF THE JASPER B。
acquaintance； there was an almost psychic accord between his mind and
hers； and he felt himself already answering to her unspoken wish as a ship
to its rudder。
〃The cabin is at your service；〃 said Cleggett； for he understood that she
wished to dress for dinner。 He conducted her； with a touch of formality；
to his own room in the cabin； which he put at her disposal； ordering her
steamer trunks to be placed in it。 Then； taking with him some
necessaries of his own； he withdrew to the forecastle to make a careful
toilet。
It might not have occurred to another man to dress for dinner； but
Cleggett's character was an unusual blend of delicacy and strength； he
perceived subtly that Lady Agatha was of the nature to appreciate this
compliment。 At a moment when her fortunes were at a low ebb what
could more cheer a woman and hearten her than such a mark of
consideration？ Already Cleggett found himself asking what would
please Lady Agatha。
CHAPTER VIII
A FLAME LEAPS OUT OF THE
DARK
Kuroki announced dinner； Cleggett entered the captain's mess room of
the cabin； where the cloth was laid； and a moment later lady Agatha
emerged from the stateroom and gave him her hand with a smile。
If he had thought her beautiful before； when she wore her plain
traveling suit； he thought her radiant now； in the true sense of that much
abused word。 For she flung forth her charm in vital radiations。 If
Cleggett had possessed a common mind he might have phrased it to
himself that she hit a man squarely in the eyes。 Her beauty had that
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THE CRUISE OF THE JASPER B。
direct and almost aggressive quality that is like a challenge； and with
sophisticated feminine art she had contrived that the dinner gown she
chose for that evening should sound the keynote of her personality like a
leitmotif in an opera。 The costume was a creation of white satin； the
folds caught here and there with strings of pearls。 There was a single
large rose of pink velvet among the draperies of the skirt； a looped girdle
of blue velvet was the only other splash of color。 But the full…leaved；
expanded and matured rose became the vivid epitome and illustration of
the woman herself。 A rope of pearls that hung down to her waist added
the touch of soft luster essential to preserve the picture from the reproach
of being too obvious an assault upon the senses； Cleggett reflected that
another woman might have gone too far and spoiled it all by wearing
diamonds。 Lady Agatha always knew where to stop。
〃I have not been so hungry since I was in Holloway Jail；〃 said Lady
Agatha。 And she ate with a candid gusto that pleased Cleggett； who
loathed in a woman a finical affectation of indifference to food。
When Kuroki brought the coffee she took up her own story again。
There was little more to tell。
Dopey Eddie and Izzy the Cat； it appeared； had mistaken their
instructions。 Two nights after they had been engaged they had appeared
at Lady Agatha's apartment with the oblong box。
〃The horrid creatures brought it into my sitting…room and laid it on the
floor before I could prevent them；〃 said Lady Agatha。
〃'What is t