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 have been saved the chance of taking cold and getting mixed up in the stir. What do you say?" He was very impatient to understand the accident, and spoke loudly, so that Gerald should not hear pattering footsteps and loud voices in the saloon, where the frightened passengers were collecting.

"All right," assented Gerald. "I'll wait."

"Lock the door after me. Don't open it to any one till I come back. It isn't safe, for particular reasons. Don't mind the noises outside; there's always some excitement where there are ladies, you know. Suppose you stuff those things into the bag again. We might have to change our quarters. I wont be long."

Philip hurried out. The saloon was half-lighted, as it had been. Already there was great confusion among passengers and servants. He caught sight at once of the steward and a couple of officials. He ran up to them only to hear them repeating sharply, "No, ladies and gentlemen! we don't know any thing yet, except that it was something down-stairs in the freight. They're making examinations forward. Please keep cool, gentlemen! there's no danger!