David ran the quarry to earth in the lounge. Doctor Sims had just heard of another very old graveyard some distance from the city, but the others succeeded in persuading him to postpone indefinitely his contemplated pilgrimage thereto, for the lesser pleasure of an afternoon on the water. The launch was a gorgeous thing, with mahogany planking and silver fittings. It was a calm day, and the water was scarcely broken by a ripple. The launch shot through the water at furious speed, and the young naval officer, whose guest they were, asked Mr. Hammond if he cared to go faster. “No, I don’t think so, thanks. I am rather timid, you see.” A general laugh went up. “How cruelly the commander must suffer, six thousand feet in the air,” laughed the host. “That’s different,” said Mr. Hammond, laughing at himself. “There is something so upsetting about this.” They went slower after that, and were able to see the beauties of the sea and shore line. “This actually makes me want to be a poet,” mused Doctor Trigg. “You are one, dang it!” said Doctor Sims, violently. “Me? Why, I never wrote a line of poetry in my life!” “You do worse; you think it. I can feel it stewing around inside of you. If it wasn’t for me, Martin, you would just be another nuisance to humanity. But I choke you off—I choke you off!” “Now that’s kind of you, Nicholas, but this scene ought to be excuse enough for anyone. Even you, Nicholas. How does it make you feel? Be honest!” Doctor Sims reflected. “Like a normal human being,” he said. “Nice day, nice boat, nice scenery, much obliged to our host. Doesn’t that cover everything?” Doctor Trigg laughed heartily. “Sims,” he said, “you are a ‘gem of purest ray serene’.” “There—you—go!” said Doctor Sims. “Well,” said Dulcie, “it seems to me that you each say the right thing, always.” “Thank you, my dear,” said Doctor Trigg. “Har!” said Doctor Sims. Long shadows spent themselves across the lagoon as they returned to Friedrichshafen. Mr. Hammond and David, accompanied by their host of the afternoon, were driven at once to the hospital, where Mr. Hammond gave last instructions for the care of his two officers. Back to the hotel, then, and at seven dinner was served. The many bells in the city had struck nine before the company rose. Dulcie and David wandered out into the lobby. “Gold lace,” remarked Dulcie, glancing about. “Did you ever see so much of it?” “Someone told me that there is much less than in the days of the Empire,” said David. “Well, it must have been sewed all over them,” sighed Dulcie. “It must be heavy stuff to wear.” “What do those huskies care for a little weight more or less?” demanded David. “Gosh, they are big fellows!”