"
"Where are all these goods going?"
The Captain nodded his head at the rock, and Lermontoff gazed at it
again, running his eyes from top to bottom without seeing any vestige
of civilization.
"Then you lie to the lee of this rock, and the small boat takes the
supplies ashore?"
"Exactly," said the Captain.
"The settlement, I take it, is on the other side. What is it-- a
lighthouse?"
"There's no lighthouse," said the Captain.
"Sort of coastguard, then?"
"Yes, in a way. They keep a lookout. And now, Highness, I see your
overcoat is on your back. Have you left anything in your room?"
The Prince laughed.
"No, Captain, I forgot to bring a portmanteau with me."
"Then I must say farewell to you here."
"What, you are not going to maroon me on this pebble in the ocean?"
"You will be well taken care of, Highness."
"What place is this?"
"It is called the Trogzmondoff, Highness, and the water surrounding
you is the Baltic."
"Is it Russian territory?"
"Very, very Russian," returned the Captain drawing a deep breath.
"This way, if your Highness pleases. There is a rope ladder, which is
sometimes a little unsteady for a landsman, so be careful."
"Oh, I'm accustomed to rope ladders. Hyvasti, Captain."
"Hyvasti, your Highness."
And with this mutual good-by in Finnish, the Prince went down the
swaying ladder.
CHAPTER XV
"A HOME ON THE ROLLING DEEP"
FOR once the humorous expression had vanished from Captain Kempt's
face, and that good-natured man sat in the dainty drawing-room of the
flat a picture of perplexity.
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