The Island Mystery

redit is due to the amazing energy of Miss Daisy. She was all eagerness to enter into the possession of her kingdom; but she had no idea of going t

tion of the late king. Tables, chairs, carpets and beds, they must, he thought, have left behind, because the Megalian Navy was not big enough to carry very

ers-eight, I believe-were kept busy. The new queen did not actually purchase royal robes; but she got every other kind of clothes from the most fantasti

ons to be made in the Ida, a steamer not originally intended to carry passengers. These were left to Steinwitz; but Miss Daisy managed to run down every day to see that the work was being done as quickly as possible. She had interviews with Captain Wilson, who commanded the Ida, and Mr. Maurice Phillips, the first officer. Sh

yal palace in Salissa. She consulted Gorman, and gathered from what he told her that heralds are experts in designing banners. She found her way to the o

les, argents and ramparts are extra, I am prepared to pay. But don't you

tormed at its doors. She telephoned at short intervals all day. She even tried to

t be done. No man living, not even a rail

in designs for a dozen banners in half the time that you

aid hold on the idea of an automobile and went in for

before the sailing of the Ida. Later on-when that flag became a subject for argument among diplomatists-the heralds disclaimed all real responsibility for it. They said that they had no idea they were making a royal standard. They said that they understood that they

hich had been allotted to a kitchen-maid, one of the deserters. Steinwitz and Gorman, who saw the party off, induced the other ten servants to go on board, apologizing humbly to them and explaining that the cabins in the Ida had necessarily been very hurriedly made. For all the use

moment by Steinwitz. He proved to be an excellent servant and a man of varied talents. He took a hand in the cooking, mixed cocktails, and acted as valet to Mr. Donovan, w

. Phillips was in high spirits the whole time. He fell in love with Miss Daisy the moment he saw her. But there was nothing mournful or despairing about the way the great passion took him. He never brooded in silence over the hopelessness of his prospects; thou

she stayed where she was. Mr. Phillips fetched a cup of tea for her at six and another at seven. She drank both and ate a good deal of bread and butter. When at last the island appeared, a dim speck on a clear horizon line, she danced with excitement, and sent Mr. Phillips below to

em beautiful. Salissa-Phillips would have said the same of Salissa's mistress-was at its loveliest on a clear May morning. The island appeared first as a flattened cone, intensely green. Then, as the steamer drew nearer, the cliffs which embraced the natural harbour shone out dazzlingly white. The sea rolled lazily, a belt of foam across the reef which almost bloc

llips, who had voyaged mu

employ an architect of airy genius. The house was the palace of a dream of fairyland. It was built of the white stone of the island. Long windows opened on balconies supported on white pillars which stood in the water. There were little glistening spires which rose from steep patches of red roof. There were broad shaded porches and flights of shallow white steps which led down into the water. The ground plan

nd motionless in an ecstasy of delight. Mr. Phillips, his eyes on the girl, r

rotecting reef. Captain Wilson came on deck. Mr. Donovan followed him. He stood leaning

a dream? Look at the two cottages. Look at the cliffs and

outh end of the reef. The house o

astle. It's too fairy

f the hotel at the south end of the Marine

come true," sa

e, stood the major domo. A little further back, grouped toget

sir," said th

ize her as his mistress. The negotiations in Southampton about the cabin ha

does the family propose to resi

e realized that, as queen of the island, it was h

and ever. I shall never live anywhere e

elf and the rest of the staff, to return to England at once, sir, and if I may add a suggestion, sir,

Salissa is a free state, though not a republic; but th

t when everything was beautiful and I was so happy. I'd like to tell you what I think of yo

e, such was his experience, Miss Daisy usual

said. "He didn't know I was listening, of course. The sailor ha

?" said M

ver knew before that t

to try. But you'd better run up the bridge, Daisy, right now, before I start. I

l, reached the bridge in time to hear the order giv

ir ground a little longer. Mr. Donovan raised his voice a little. He felt old powers returning to him. He became fluent. One by one the footmen slank away. Mr. Donovan went on, without passion or hea

his upper lip. Then he looked round him with an air of satisfaction. There was no one left near him except S

ny more real high-class cursing, without preparati

e any convenience to you, sir, and to her Majesty--" Mr. Donovan st

le-subject to Captain Wilson's permission. Of course you'll understand, sir, that I sig

odied wasters of footmen to shovel coal in the stokehole. I shan't say a word if he corrects the women with a rope's end every time they're seasick. I'm a humanitarian, Smith, opposed to executions

aid Smith. "Q