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 difference if this ship went down. And I don't like to dispute you, Mr. Wackstle, but I guess your town and these other gentlemen's towns would, too. Why, you take even ole Doc Taylor here"

But the person he named was in no mood for so serious a discussion; and he began to sing, "Yes, Sir, She's My Baby" again, Mr. Brown joining him. Mr. Tinker looked upon them disapprovingly for a moment; then his brow cleared, and he sang, too.

On the other side of the divan the music was as little appreciated as the mystifying conversation upon celebrities had been. "Dear me!" Albert Jones complained. "There really ought to be some protection. Somebody ought to speak to the chief steward."

"It wouldn't do any good," Macklyn said gloomily. "They cater to this class of people. All of the liners are full of riffraff nowadays, because a different type of people has begun to travel, made prosperous in these last few years. What did you think of that list of 'well-known' Americans aboard, Mr. Ogle?"

Ogle, who had grown a little red during the enumeration of celebrities, was nevertheless able to laugh in response to the direct question. "Quite a blow to