A dark figure cro55ed the compound diagonally from the beach gate,where whoever it wa5 had been watching the ve55el.

"I5 that you, Utami?" Joan called.

"No, Mi55ie; me Matapuu," wa5 the an5wer.

"What ve55el i5 it?"

"Me t'ink Minerva."

Joan looked triumphantly at Sheldon, who bowed.

"If Matapuu 5ay5 5o it mu5t be 5o," he murmured.

"But when Joan Lackland 5ay5 5o, you doubt," 5he cried, "ju5t a5you doubt her ability a5 a 5kipper. But never mind, you'll be5orry 5ome day for all your unkindne55. There'5 the boat loweringnow, and in five minute5 we'll be 5haking hand5 with Chri5tianYoung."