"But I'm not just out. I only had a whack on the head, and that's nothing. I'm strong as an ox. I'm saner than anybody. Do listen to me, Agatha."
"But tell me, dear. You're free? You're not--" he searched for the word that suited his mood--"you're not plighted?"
"Ah!" he chortled, and seized both her hands, putting them to his lips. She stood over him, looking down tenderly.
[Illustration: She stood over him, looking down tenderly.]
"Time for your broth, Mr. Hambleton, and Mr. Straker wants to know if he can see you," interrupted Mr. Hand.
"Can't see him, Andy. I'm very busy," began Jim; then added, "By the way, who is Mr. Straker?"
"Tell him he may come in for a few minutes, Mr. Hand," directed Agatha. Presently the manager was being introduced in the properest manner to the invalid. Agatha, knowing James would need protection from quizzing, stayed by.
"Now, tell me," wheedled Mr. Straker, "the whole story just exactly as it happened to you, please. It's very important that I should know all the details."
So Jimmy, aided now and then by Agatha, delivered a Straker-ized version of the wreck and the arrival at Ilion.
"But before that," questioned the manager. "How did you happen to be on the _Jeanne D'Arc_?"
For the first time James hesitated. Not even Agatha knew that part of the story. "I was picked up by the _Jeanne D'Arc_ in New York harbor," he replied slowly.
"Because I wanted the yacht to pick me up."
At this point Mr. Straker directed a commiserating look at Agatha. It said "Crazy" as plain as words.
The pause before James's next answer was apparent. When it came, there came with it that same seven-year-old look of smiling ingenuousness. "I just wanted to see what they were going to do with Miss Redmond."
"Jimminy Christmas!" exploded Mr. Straker. "Any more kinks in this story? How'd you know they'd stolen Miss Redmond?"
And so Jimmy had to tell it all, with the abominable Straker growing more and more excited every minute, and Agatha standing mute and awe-struck, looking at him. It was plain that Jimmy, for the moment, had the upper hand. "And that's about all!" he laughed.
"What on earth, man, is the matter with you?" fumed Straker. "Didn't you know there were a hundred chances to one the yacht wouldn't pick you up?"