It was our last night on board.

She was masquerading in the state-cabin in a page's livery when you struck us.

But for Larpent we should have been trapped there like rats when the yacht went down.

He came and hauled us out, and we saved the child between us." He turned again to the doctor, his teeth gleaming fox-like between his smiling lips.

"Really, I am sorry to disappoint you," he said.