"Oh, I love that," she said. "Don't forget to invite him. Only the trouble is we have nothing to unravel." "I have a skein of silk," interrupted Helen facetiously. Suddenly the lawyer stopped speaking and quickly sitting up in his chair stared intently in the distance at a face in the crowd which had caught his eye. "Who is it?" demanded Ray, her woman's jealousy aroused. "I may be mistaken," he replied, "but I thought I saw your friend Signor Keralio." Helen looked up quickly. "My friend?" she exclaimed. "He's no friend of mine. I wonder what he's doing here. He can't be sailing." "He's up to no good, I wager that," growled the lawyer. "You don't like him either, do you?" smiled Ray. "Does anyone?" he answered. "I don't see how Kenneth can have anything to do with such a cheap type of adventurer." Helen hastened to explain. "Ken doesn't care for him at all, only they are both interested in the same business deal--a silver mine in Mexico. Ken bought stock and Keralio is the only man he knows connected with it. That's why." The lawyer gave vent to a grunt of disgust. "If Keralio has anything to do with it, good-bye to Ken's money. In my opinion the fellow's a crook." Suddenly Helen pointed to a spot away down at the other end of the deck. "Yes--you're right--there he is--behind that third lifeboat. He's talking to some one." The lawyer looked in the direction indicated. "Yes--and do you see the secretive way in which they're talking--hiding behind that boat, as if so that no one might see them. They're plotting some mischief, you may be sure of that. Who's the other fellow?" Helen strained her eyes to see. "I can't see his face. Oh, yes I can--why--it's our Francois--Kenneth's valet. What can they be talking about? I don't trust that valet. Only the other day I caught him reading some letters. I warned Ken about him; but he insists he is faithful--I wonder what they can have in common? He used to be in Signor Keralio's employ." The lawyer shook his head ominously. Gravely he said: "That fellow Keralio will bear watching. I think I'll put my Sherlock Holmes on his track." Ray laughed. "Oh, that would be exciting--a drama in real life. Please do----" "Good morning, ladies!" said a voice close at hand. "Good morning, Mr. Steell." All looked up. A tall, elderly man with white hair, distinguished looking and fashionably dressed, had stopped. "Why, it's Mr. Parker!" exclaimed Helen holding out her hand. "You came to see Kenneth off?" "Yes--where is he?" "In his stateroom--attending to his baggage. He'll be here directly." "I must see him at once." "Anything important?" "Very important, indeed," replied the newcomer. Helen jumped up, all flushed from excitement. "Please tell me what it is?" she exclaimed. The old gentleman drew a telegram from his pocket.