Mrs. Johns was better, and I found them all
huddled in her room. I put the stewardess on
the bed, and locked the door into the next room.
Then, after examining the window, I gave Elsa
Lee my revolver.

"Don't let any one in," I said. "I'll put a
guard at the two companionways, and we'll
let no one down. But -- keep the door locked
also."

She took the revolver from me, and examined
it with the air of one familiar with firearms.
Then she looked up at me, her lips as white as
her face.

"We are relying on you, Leslie," she said.

And, at her words, the storm of self-contempt
and bitterness that I had been holding in abey-
ance for the last half hour swept over me like a
flood. I could have wept for fury.

"Why should you trust me?" I demanded.
"I slept through the time when I was needed.
And when I wakened and found myself locked
in the storeroom, I waited to take the lock off
instead of breaking down the door! I ought to
jump overboard."

"We are relying on you," she said again, sim-

-67-