'The predicament has nothing whatever to do with it. I tell you a fact. I tell you that one of your passengers came and imprisoned me in my state-room. I come to you for redress. Now, there must be some law on shipboard that takes the place of ordinary law on land. I make this demand officially to you. If you decline to hear me, and refuse to redress my wrong, then I have public opinion, to which I can appeal through my paper, and perhaps there will also be a chance of obtaining justice through the law of the land to which I am going.' 'My dear madam,' said the captain calmly, 'you must not use threats to me. I am not accustomed to be addressed in the tone you have taken upon yourself to use. Now tell me what it is you wish me to do?' 'It is for you to say what you will do. I am a passenger on board this ship, and am supposed to be under the protection of its captain. I therefore tell you I have been forcibly detained in my state-room, and I demand that the person who did this shall be punished.' 'You say that Miss Longworth is the person who did this?' 'Yes, I do.' 'Now, do you know you make a serious charge against that young lady--a charge that I find it remarkably difficult to believe? May I ask you what reason she had for doing what you say she has done?' 'That is a long story. I am quite prepared to show that she tried to bribe me not to send a despatch, and, finding herself unsuccessful, she forcibly detained me in my room until too late to send the telegram.' The captain pondered over what had been said to him. 'Have you any proof of this charge?' 'Proof! What do you mean? Do you doubt my word?' 'I mean exactly what I say. Have you anybody to prove the exceedingly serious charge you bring?' 'Certainly not. I have no proof. If there had been a witness there, the thing would not have happened. If I could have summoned help, it would not have happened. How could I have any proof of such an outrage?' 'Well, do you not see that it is impossible for me to take action on your unsupported word? Do you not see that, if you take further steps in this extraordinary affair, Miss Longworth will ask you for proof of what you state? If she denies acting as you say she did, and you fail to prove your allegation, it seems to me that you will be in rather a difficult position. You would be liable to a suit for slander. Just think the matter over calmly for the rest of the day before you take any further action upon it, and I would strongly advise you not to mention this to anyone on board. Then to-morrow, if you are still in the same frame of mind, come to me.' Thus dismissed, the young woman left the captain's room, and met Fleming just outside, who said: 'Look here, Miss Brewster, I want to have a word with you. You were very curt with me just now.' 'Mr. Fleming, I do not wish to speak to you.'