I raised no further objection to the plan, as evidently Aunt Kathryn was enjoying herself. But when we had steamed out of the Bay of Ombla, far away from Ragusa's towering fortifications, and on for more than an hour, I ventured to suggest to Count Corramini that it was time to turn back. "We shan't get to the hotel till after three, as it is," I said, glancing at my watch. "Let us consult the Countess," he replied. "Here she comes now." Aunt Kathryn and the Prince had left us twenty minutes before, to stroll up and down the deck, and had been leaning over the rail for some time, talking in low voices, but with great earnestness. As the Count answered me, they had moved and were coming slowly in our direction, Aunt Kathryn looking excited, as if the Prince had been saying something strange. "Don't you think we ought to go back to Beechy?" I asked, as she came nearer. She sat down in the deck chair without replying for a moment, and then she said, in an odd, quavering tone, "Maida, I've just heard a thing from the Prince, that I'll have to talk to you about. County, can I take her into the sallong?" The Count jumped up. "It is for Dalmar-Kalm and me to go, if you wish to speak with Mees Destrey alone," he exclaimed. And laying his hand on the Prince's shoulder, the two men walked away together. My only thought was that Prince Dalmar-Kalm must have told Aunt Kathryn of my refusal and asked her to "use her influence." But her first words showed me that I was mistaken. "I'm very angry with the Prince, but I can't help thinking what he's done is romantic. He and the County have _kidnapped_ us." "What do you mean?" I exclaimed. "Oh, you needn't look so horrified. They're only taking us to Cattaro by yacht instead of our going by automobile, that's all." "All?" I echoed. "It's the most impudent thing I ever heard of. Didn't you tell him that you wouldn't go, that you--" "Well, I'd like to know what good my saying _'Wouldn't'_ could do? I can't stop the yacht." "It's Count Corramini's yacht, not the Prince's," I said, "and whatever else they may be, they're gentlemen, at least by birth. They can't run off with us like this against our wills." Aunt Kathryn actually chuckled. "Well, they _have_, anyhow," she retorted. "And the Prince says, if only we knew what the road to Cattaro was like, I'd thank instead of scolding him." "Nonsense!" I exclaimed. "We must go back. What's to become of Beechy left alone in Ragusa ill, with nobody but Mr. Barrymore and Sir Ralph to look after her? It's monstrous!"