"I am sorry we are going to part, gentlemen," he said, affably.
"I shall miss your society. You are out here for pleasure, are you not?"
"Now, Tickell, my good fellow, drop all that," said Hal, seeing what was coming.
"No offence, my dear sir. On business, then?"
"Go to the devil, Tickell--or what is better, go and worry some of the old women," said Hal, turning away.
"You're an infernal old fool," said Reg, fairly losing his temper; and tucking Hal's arm under his own, strolled away.
"Well, I'm hanged if I can make them out," said Tickell, to Mrs. Morgan, who had come towards him.
"Found out anything, Mr. Tickell?" asked that lady, sweetly.
"Wonder if they're criminals escaping from gaol," hazarded Mrs. Morgan, who had all the romantic imagination of her sex.
"No, more like lords in disguise," said Tickell, thoughtfully.
"You've hit it, Tickell," said Hal, passing by, not having heard the remark but guessing it referred to them.
"I knew it. I knew it," said Tickell, gleefully, as he rushed below to spread the news.
"Oh, my lords, I really beg your lordships' pardon," said Mrs. Morgan, apologetically.
"Pray what for, madam?" asked Reg, wondering if she had lost her senses.
"Well, you see, your lordships, neither me nor my gals ever guessed your lordships was what you are, or we would not have talked about you so familiar-like."
"My dear madam, we are no more lords than you are," said Hal, laughing at the joke.
"Here they are; here they are," cried Tickell, to a little crowd he had collected. "I found them out; I found them out."
"I found you out, my lords. I knew all the time you were lords in disguise, but I did not like to say so," and Tickell skipped about and snapped his fingers with joy at the discovery.
A small tender now came alongside, and the Health Officer boarded the ship, and at once granted _pratique_, as there had been no sickness during the voyage. Several people accompanied him. Reg and Hal, taking advantage of the lull, escaped to their cabins, but no sooner were they there than the Captain rushed down to them, shook hands, and complimented them on their disguise. He had not taken any notice of them before, for he was a big man in his own estimation.
"I really feel annoyed at your not letting me into the secret of your identity, gentlemen, for there is great competition and jealousy between the captains on this route as to whose ship carries most members of the nobility in a year. I'd have put on extra steam had I known, and arrived a day sooner. You two will put me top of the list, and I shall be bound to have a big passenger list coming home."