noon
Mr. Smithson also was cheerful . He had paid his annual tribute to Neptune , and might hope to go scot-free for the rest of the season . ` If I had stayed on deck I must have had my finger in the pie ; so I thought it better to go below and get a good night 's rest in the steward 's cabin , ' he said , not caring to confess his sufferings as frankly as Lady Kirkbank admitted hers . After breakfast , which was prolonged till noon , Montesma asked Smithson to smoke a cigarette on deck with him . ` I want to talk to you on a rather serious matter , ' he said . Lesbia heard the words , and looked up with a frightened glance . Could he mean to attempt anything desperate ?