We've been over the ship,
backwards and forwards. The Captain's own steward has been our guide, and
we've conducted an extra search on our own account. Personally, I must say
I have come to the same conclusion as Mr. Quest. At the present moment
there is no such person as the man we are looking for, on board this
steamer."
"Then he either changed on to another one," Laura declared obstinately,
"or else he jumped overboard."
Harris, who was a very polite man, gazed thoughtfully seaward. Quest
smiled.
"When Laura's set on a thing," he remarked, "she takes a little moving.
What do you think about it, Professor?"
The Professor laid down his book, keeping his finger in the place. He had
the air of a man perfectly content with himself and his surroundings.
"My friend," he said, "I boarded this steamer with only one thought in my
mind--Craig. At the present moment, I feel myself compelled to plead
guilty to a complete change of outlook. The horrors of the last few months
seem to have passed from my brain like a dream. I lie here, I watch these
white-winged birds wheeling around us, I watch the sunshine make jewels of
the spray, I breathe this wonderful air, I relax my body to the slow,
soothing movements of the boat, and I feel a new life stealing through me.
Is Craig really on board? Was it really he whom Miss Laura here saw? At
the present moment, I really do not care. I learn from the steward, who
arranged my bath this morning, that we are bound for India.
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