I crept on by means of the brass railing and at last reached a door which gave. I opened it and called out:
"Princess! Princess!"
Blackness filled the room. I could hear and see nothing human. I entered, and the door swung to behind with a clang.
"Princess!" I shouted, but I could hear no answer.
I groped in the darkness with both hands, and then I touched an arm! I seized it, and drew the owner to me gently.
"Princess!" I called, and this time an answer reached me through the raging elements:
"It is I."
"Thank God, you're safe. Do not be alarmed," I said, speaking into her ear. "The yacht's caught in a hurricane, but——"
There fell at that instant a resounding crash far above the noise of the storm, and we were thrown headlong against the outer wall of the boudoir. I knew that only, and then I knew no more.