"So I see," was my answer. "And, if you want to know, that is precisely the reason why I intend to stop." Manning's curious blue eyes narrowed dangerously. "I don't quite understand," he observed in his silkiest voice. "It's very simple," I assured him. "This lady, whoever she is, seems to have mistaken you for a gentleman." I turned to Christine. "I hope I am not being officious," I added, "but if there is any way in which I can be of use, please consider me entirely at your service." She rose to the occasion with all the quickness and courage that I had expected. "If it's not troubling you too much," she said quietly, "I should certainly be obliged if you would row me to the shore." Manning stepped forward, addressing himself directly to her. His manner was politeness itself, but there was no misunderstanding the veiled threat behind his words. "For various reasons," he said, "I think you had better allow _me_ that privilege." I saw that Christine was hesitating, so I gave her no chance to reply. "I expect you know your way up on to the deck," I remarked. "If you will excuse me I will be with you almost immediately." For a second she still wavered. Then with the slightest possible bow she crossed the cabin, and passed out silently into the passage. I closed the door behind her. Only once before in my life, when Bobby and I sighted our first German submarine, have I felt the same peculiar sensation with which I turned round and faced Manning. He stood where he was, an amused and half-mocking smile playing round the corners of his mouth. "You mustn't let me detain you, Mr. Dryden," he said. "I am sure you are full of the noblest sentiments, but it would be a pity to keep the lady waiting." If his intention was to make me lose my temper it went woefully astray. "I shan't be long," I replied. "I am only going to give you a damned good hiding." I was looking straight at him as I spoke, and I saw the lightning glance with which he measured his distance from a small oak sideboard that was clamped against the wall. "That's the worst of you primitive people," he drawled slowly, "you always--" Then suddenly his eyes travelled past me to the door, and a harsh, exulting cry broke from his lips. "Go on, Craill," he shouted; "let him have it." With most men the trick would probably have succeeded, but I was too old a hand to be caught in that time-honoured fashion. As he sprang for the sideboard I hurled myself after him, and at the very second that he wrenched open the drawer my fist crashed home full in his face. He lurched wildly backwards, and, stumbling over the corner of the mat, fetched up against the wall with a thud that shook the cabin. Of the next two minutes I have a glorious but slightly confused recollection. All the rage which I had been bottling up inside me seemed to break loose at that first blow, and with a red mist in front of my eyes I leaped in to finish the business.