'Indeed,' said the baronet, not much interested in the matter. 'I tried to wind it up last night, and mistook the corkscrew for a key.' 'After such a devil of a time as we have had of it I don't wonder at anything.' Meanwhile Sleath was still considering how he would induce Ellinor to trust herself on shore with him, after writing to announce her coming to the Frau Wyburg's residence, or _pension_ as she was pleased to call it; and Dewsnap was busy imbibing a 'pick-me-up' of iced seltzer and brandy, while conning over the sporting intelligence at several recent meetings--the plates run for, the bets at starting, the Welter sweepstakes, and so forth, without even caring to open the letters the steward had brought him from the Poste Restante at the Post Strasse, when suddenly a loud interjection escaped him. 'What is up?' asked Sleath, looking up from his coffee. 'The devil to pay in the East!' 'How?' 'A Reuter's telegram announcing the murder of Sir Louis Cavagnari, and massacre of the entire embassy at Cabul!' 'The entire lot?' 'Escort and every man-jack of the Europeans!' Sleath was of course interested, and read for himself the brief and alarming despatch. 'So that cad Colville is wiped out then--a devilish good job too!' was his first comment, and he contrived soon to let Ellinor Wellwood know the fate of her 'cousin,' as he called Colville in mockery. Her first thoughts were of Mary. More than ever did Ellinor long to be with her now. She strove to leave her bed, but sank helplessly back upon the pillow, and lay there still choked by dry sobs, her face pallid to the lips; in her half-closed eyes an unnatural gleam that came of mental and bodily suffering, while her hands were clenched at times till the nails almost cut the tender palms. Ringbolt, the sailing-master, had a keen appreciation of the charming in female nature, and was able to admire every variety of the sex that came under his observation. The wonderful beauty and delicacy of Ellinor inflamed his fancy. He saw that she seemed, somehow, utterly helpless--a mysterious waif, cast upon the waters; he saw that she trembled under the unpleasant gaze of Dewsnap, and simply loathed Sleath, who sought to make himself the arbiter of her destiny; so Mr. Rufane Ringbolt thought why should he not enter stakes for this prize? Why should not he try to make his innings when others failed? She had been picked up like a derelict craft, and by himself, too; and then Hamburg--dissipated Hamburg--filled with people of many races and creeds--was just the place where people may play the wildest pranks with ease. Thus Ringbolt had been a kind of protection in one way to Ellinor, over whom he kept an eye, on his own account, and, as Sleath began to think, was always on the watch, as he was one who took what he called 'dog watches,' or 'dog snoozes,' and could sleep by night or day with wonderful facility, and apparently with one eye open.