The things we do!

You are
mistaken. This is not Cairo."
"What of that, sir? Is it not the privilege of a passenger to stop
at any intermediate point?"
"Not in this case, Madam."
"What do you mean?" she blazed out at him in anger on first
impulse. But even as she did so there came over her heart once
more the sick feeling of helplessness. Though innocent, she was
indeed a prisoner! As much as though this were the Middle Ages, as
though these were implacable armed enemies who stood about her, and
not commonplace, every-day individuals in a commonplace land, she
was a prisoner.
"You shall suffer for this!" she exclaimed. "There must be a law
somewhere in this country."
"That is true, Madam," said the captain, "and that is the trouble.
I'm told that my orders come from the _highest_ laws. Certainly I
have no option in the matter. I was told distinctly not to let you
off without his orders--not even to allow you to send any word
ashore."
"But the gentleman who accompanied me is no longer on the boat.


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