She had nearly reached his side, though he was unaware of her presence, when the young English officer approached from the other side and, slapping him familiarly upon the shoulder, exclaimed,-

“Well, Mainwaring, my boy, you’ve kept your sea-legs well on this trip.”

The tall, dark-eyed man withdrew, and Miss Carleton, utterly bewildered, turned and slowly retraced her steps.  Mainwaring!  What did it mean?  She heard the name distinctly, and he had taken it as a matter of course, replying pleasantly and quietly, as though he had known no other name.  The mystery which she had thought to solve had only deepened tenfold.  She was aroused by the cheery voice of the captain.

“Well, well, Miss Carleton, glad to see you out!  I congratulate you on your speedy recovery.  How are the ladies? and how is my old friend Thornton?”

They took a few turns up and down, chatting pleasantly, till Miss Carleton, looking into the face overflowing with kindliness and good humor, said,-

“Captain, I have a great favor to ask of you.”

“Granted, my dear young lady, to the half of my kingdom!”

“May I have your permission to examine the list of cabin passengers?”

The captain elevated his shaggy eyebrows and his eyes twinkled with merriment.  “Ah! anxious to learn if some particular friend is on board, I suppose.  Some one was inquiring of me the other night regarding your identity.”

“Indeed!” said Miss Carleton, a world of inquiry in her eyes.

“Yes; Mr. Mainwaring, the gentleman conversing with Lieutenant Cohen over there.  He and I both went to your assistance the other evening, but, much to my regret, he was quicker than I. He remarked to me after he came back on deck that he had supposed you were a stranger, but that your face looked familiar.  He asked your name, and whether you were with Mr. Thornton and his daughter, stating that he had met you.  Correct, I presume?”

“Quite so,” said Miss Carleton, quietly.

“And now about that passenger list, Miss Carleton; you have my permission to examine it, and I will accompany you myself.”

She thanked him.  “Are you acquainted with Mr. Mainwaring?” she inquired, carelessly.

“Never met him until this trip.  On first learning his name, I supposed him to be a member of your party, as he is evidently a gentleman; but I soon learned that he was alone.”

A few moments later the register was opened for Miss Carleton’s inspection, but she did not have to search long.  Half-way down the first page she found, in the familiar writing of the secretary, the name which she sought — “Harold Scott Mainwaring.”

CHAPTER XVI

MUTUAL EXPLANATIONS

Thanking the captain for his courtesy, Miss Carleton returned to her accustomed seat on deck, and, since one is never more alone than when surrounded by a crowd of utter strangers, she felt at liberty to pursue her own thoughts without interruption.