‘No, I do not. But I’ll tell you what we will do. I’ll run you through the States as a star, and then I’ll bring you over to England as a new American actress. We’ll do them yet.’ ‘But who is to pay?’ ‘I’ll find the money, don’t you worry your head about that.’ * * * * * On the following Tuesday the waiter at the Crown Hotel, Cowes, respectfully informed Lady Kirkdale that Mr. Potter had sent the pinnace of the _Sunflower_ to convey their ladyships on board. ‘I suppose, as Kirkdale hasn’t arrived yet, you and I will have to go by ourselves,’ said Lady Kirkdale. ‘It’s a very funny thing he should suddenly change his mind and leave us in the lurch like this.’ ‘Perhaps Mr. Travers will be able to give us some information; he is to be with the Potters to-day, I believe.’ ‘I thought he would have called on us this morning. I didn’t understand, Maisy, that he was to stay on board with them. Don’t you think it’s rather odd of the Potters to ask him to stay there when Kirkdale hasn’t anywhere to go to?’ ‘A great many things in this life are odd, my dear, and I’m afraid my thinking won’t alter them, so I don’t trouble my head.’ As Geraldine climbed the side of the yacht she looked in vain for Travers. ‘What has happened to everybody?’ she said to Maisy the moment she could take her aside. ‘Why? what have you heard?’ asked Maisy doubtfully. ‘Nothing. Kirkdale has not sent a word of explanation. I thought we should get an explanation from Mr. Travers, but he is not here either.’ ‘Come down to my cabin a minute,’ said Maisy, leading the way into an exceedingly shipshape-looking little apartment, full of the typical _multum in parvo_ contrivances which have been invented for the convenience of those who have little space at command. They sat down on the locker, and Maisy began-- ‘A dreadful thing has happened, and I don’t know how to break it to mamma, I’m sure.’ ‘To whom?’ ‘Of course, I think Kirkdale terribly to blame for not making sure first----’ ‘What are you talking of? Is Kirkdale dead?’ ‘No, no, what nonsense! I mean he should have made sure of Mr. Travers.’ ‘Good God, Maisy! you will drive me mad. Is Mr. Travers dead? Say yes or no.’ ‘Perhaps it would be better if he were.’ ‘Has he had an accident? Is Kirkdale nursing him?’ ‘I tell you he’s quite well. You won’t let me explain properly what has happened.’ ‘Go on,’ said Geraldine, in a dull, toneless voice. ‘He played a game of _écarté_ with Robert at the club on Saturday night, and Robert found out that he was cheating him.’ ‘What did Robert do?’ ‘Well, he watched him very carefully, and when he was quite sure he got up and told him he would not play any more with him.’ ‘Then what happened?’ ‘The members of the club were very angry, I believe, and agreed that Mr. Travers should not be re-admitted.’ ‘I think Robert behaved abominably.’ ‘Why?’