“That side of the matter was never mentioned,” cried Peggy indignantly, and then added with a catch in her voice, “We thought only of you.”

“I appreciate your motives and I am grateful to you,” said Monty.  “I am more sorry than I can tell you that the cruise must end in this way, but I too have decided.  The yacht will take you to some point where you can catch a steamer to New York.  I shall secure passage for the entire party and very soon you will be at home.  Captain Perry, will you oblige me by making at once for any port that my guests may agree upon?” He was turning away deliberately when “Subway” Smith detained him.

“What do you mean by getting a steamer to New York?  Isn’t the ‘Flitter’ good enough?” he asked.

“The ‘Flitter’ is not going to New York just now,” answered Brewster firmly, “notwithstanding your ultimatum.  She is going to take me to the North Cape.”

CHAPTER XXVII

A FAIR TRAITOR

“Now will you be good?” cried Reggie Vanderpool to DeMille as Monty went down the companionway.  The remark was precisely what was needed, for the pent-up feelings of the entire company were now poured forth upon the unfortunate young man.  “Subway” Smith was for hanging him to the yard arm, and the denunciation of the others was so decisive that Reggie sought refuge in the chart house.  But the atmosphere had been materially cleared and the leaders of the mutiny were in a position to go into executive session and consider the matter.  The women waited on deck while the meeting lasted.  They were unanimous in the opinion that the affair had been badly managed.

“They should have offered to stay by the ship providing Monty would let DeMille manage the cruise,” said Miss Valentine.  “That would have been a concession and at the same time it would have put the cruise on an economical basis.”

“In other words, you will accept a man’s invitation to dinner if he will allow you to order it and invite the other guests,” said Peggy, who was quick to defend Monty.

“Well that would be better than helping to eat up every bit of food he possessed.”  But Miss Valentine always avoided argument when she could and gave this as a parting thrust before she walked away.

“There must be something more than we know about in Monty’s extravagance,” said Mrs. Dan.  “He isn’t the kind of man to squander his last penny without having something left to show for it.  There must be a method in his madness.”

“He has done it for us,” said Peggy.  “He has devoted himself all along to giving us a good time and now we are showing our gratitude.”

Further discussion was prevented by the appearance of the conspiring committee and the whole company was summoned to hear DeMille’s report as chairman.

“We have found a solution of our difficulties,” he began, and his manner was so jubilant that every one became hopeful.  “It is desperate, but I think it will be effective.  Monty has given us the privilege of leaving the yacht at any port where we can take a steamer to New York.  Now, my suggestion is that we select the most convenient place for all of us, and obviously there is nothing quite so convenient as Boston.”