Ensign Eph doffed his cap quickly to the ladies.
"I know this does not please you," he said, courteously, "but I will ask you to remember that I am acting under orders, and have no choice."
"It is outrageous to stop a pleasure craft in this fashion!" declared
Mrs. Barnard, haughtily.
"Do you know why we are making this search, madam?" asked Eph, sweetly.
"Of course I don't," snapped the good lady.
"Then I marvel," replied Eph, with another bow, "that you can have an opinion of something that you don't understand."
One of the girls was so undutiful as to snigger. Thereupon, one of the young men joined in the laugh, which became so general that the severe expression on Mrs. Barnard's face softened considerably.
"Perhaps I owe you an apology, young man, for having spoken as I did of you," admitted the good lady.
"You only called us pirates," smiled Eph. "That wasn't much."
"Perhaps I said more than I should have said, young man," admitted Mrs.
Barnard.