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 him; then slowed down and came to its lowest speed, moving alongside the Peanut and not ten feet away. Platter Thomas and Claire sat side by side in the control cockpit, and she was laughing merrily.

Nelson, paddling with tired arms, gave them only a cold and hasty side glance; but there was more than one reason for him to keep his eyes strictly ahead.

"Nelson!" Claire called. "You haven't any idea how funny you look! All you need is a pussy cat and plenty of honey wrapped up in a five-pound note! Where on earth'd you find that ridiculous little boat? Oh, look!" She grasped her host's arm, and Nelson was well aware of this impulsive friendliness of hers, even though he perceived it with the tail of his eye. "Do see its name?" she cried. "It's called the Peanut." And, thoroughly comprehending that she was the reason for the Peanut's present voyage, she uttered peal on peal of girlish laughter.

Platter Thomas was more serious. "Yes," he said. "A peanut's about all it is too." He addressed Nelson sternly. "Look here; you ought to know a thing like that hasn't got any business outside the harbour. You ought to know that much, anyhow."

Nelson did know that much; he knew it poignantly; but when Claire laughed at him and grasped Platter's