He got upon his feet, pallid and staring. His hand was clapped over his heart, and his breath came in thick, stertorous gasps.
Doris appeared around the corner, walking with Count Poltavo. She came forward swiftly.
"Come, father!" she said, and led him, unresisting, away.
They ate a silent meal in the magnificently upbolstered ward-room, which had been converted into a saloon for the officers of the "Mad Battleship."
After dinner, Count Poltavo and Baggin promenaded the quarter-deck together.
"Grayson has gone below," reported the count, in answer to a question of his companion. "He got no sleep last night."
"He is a greater danger than any of the others," said Baggin.
They stood for awhile, watching the phosphorescence on the water, till Lombrosa's voice recalled them.
"Are you there?" he called quickly. They detected the agitation in his tone and turned together.
"It's Grayson," said the captain rapidly. "I found him in the wireless cabin, trying to send a message. He's half-mad."