'I am sure,' said Kenyon warmly, 'you did nothing of the kind. At all events, I am certain everything you did was perfectly right; and I know you were completely justified in anything you said.' 'I wish I could think so.' 'I want to ask you one question,' said Kenyon. But what that question was will never be known. It was never asked; and when Edith Longworth inquired about it some time later, the question had entirely gone from Kenyon's mind. The steamship, which was ploughing along through the waters, suddenly gave a shiver, as if it were shaken by an earthquake; there were three tremendous bumps, such as a sledge might make by going suddenly over logs concealed in the snow. Both Kenyon and Miss Longworth sprang to their feet. There was a low roar of steam, and they saw a cloud rise amidships, apparently pouring out of every aperture through which it could escape. Then there was silence. The engines had stopped, and the vessel heeled distinctly over to the port side. When Edith Longworth began to realize the situation, she found herself very close to Kenyon, clasping his arm with both hands. 'What--what is it?' she cried in alarm. 'Something is wrong,' said Kenyon. 'Nothing serious, I hope. Will you wait here a moment while I go and see?' 'It is stupid of me,' she answered, releasing his arm; 'but I feel dreadfully frightened.' 'Perhaps you would rather not be left alone.' 'Oh no, it is all over now; but when the first of those terrible shocks came it seemed to me we had struck a rock.' 'There are no rocks here,' said Kenyon. 'The day is perfectly clear, and we are evidently not out of our course. Something has gone wrong with the machinery, I imagine. Just wait a moment, and I will find out.' As Kenyon rushed towards the companion-way, he met a sailor hurrying in the other direction. 'What is the matter?' cried Kenyon. The sailor gave no answer. On entering the companion-way door, Kenyon found the place full of steam, and he ran against an officer. 'What is wrong? Is anything the matter?' 'How should I know?' was the answer, very curtly given. 'Please do not ask any questions. Everything will be attended to.' This was scant encouragement. People began crowding up the companion-way, coughing and wheezing in the steam; and soon the deck, that but a moment before had been almost without an occupant, was crowded with excited human beings in all states of dress and undress.