"What in the world are you talking about?" asked Ruth in some surprise. "Do you mean that young man who was waving to Miss Dixon?" for a certain youth seemed very loath to bid farewell to the former variety actress.
"Yes. Who is he?" asked Alice, accepting this chance to get out of answering, though what she had meant was the identity of the mysterious Hen Lacomb, and not the youth on the dock.
"I've seen him before," Ruth said.
"Who?" asked Alice quickly, her mind still intent on the mystery.
"Why, Alice, how odd you are! That young man of whom we are speaking, to be sure. I mean I've seen him around the studio. He seems to be quite impressed by Miss Dixon."
"Yes," said Alice, vaguely. "Well, let's go below," she suggested. "You notice how nautical I'm getting," she went on.
"Forgetful you mean," supplemented Ruth. "Well, anyhow, we have fine weather for the start."
The schooner was well out from the dock now, and the pilot was in charge, so there was nothing for Captain Brisco to do for the present. He had gone to his cabin, and the stranger, or, rather, Hen Lacomb, to give him the name bestowed on him, was with the commander.
"I wish I knew what they were talking about," said Alice, and, without intending to do so, she spoke aloud.
"Who?" asked Ruth. "Really, you are saying the strangest things this morning, Sister mine!"