Unknown by Unknown

these words Fay straightened and looked at her friend, wide-eyed. “What do you mean? Was he in a fight?”
    “Not exactly.”
    “Well, what happened, for goodness’ sake? Don’t keep me waiting.” Fay was agog with curiosity.
    “Ashley and I had an argument by the rail over there,” pointing to within a few yards from where they sat. “Then he shook me to try and make me believe that all I’d read about him wasn’t true.”
    Fay raised her brows. “Ashley did that? He doesn’t look the type to use violence.”
    “It was my own fault, I know that. I don’t blame him at all. Anyway, I closed my eyes for a moment or two and the next second he was lying on the deck.”
    “You mean you pushed him down?”
    “No, silly. Wes spotted us, thought I was in trouble and biffed Ashley one before' he had time to realise what was happening.”
    Fay clapped her hands, delighted. “I wish I’d been there. Trust me to miss the fun !”
    “It wasn’t funny—not at the time.”
    “What did Ashley do then? Hit Wesley back?”
    “No—he showed remarkable constraint. He just stood up, rubbed his chin and told Wes what a strong fellow he was.”
    Fay looked disappointed. “Is that all? Mind you, it’s a good job Ashley took it like that. I mean, a ship’s officer fighting with a passenger—it’s not done. They don’t even like us getting too friendly. It’s to be hoped Captain Faraday doesn’t hear about it.”
    “I doubt if he will. No one else saw what happened and Ashley wasn’t too upset so he won’t complain. In fact I was more annoyed with Wes than Ashley.”
    “You’re joking!” laughed Fay. “I would have thought you’d have thanked him for downing the enemy.”
    Lorna grimaced ruefully, remembering her horror when she saw Ashley lying on the deck. “With all fairness to Ashley I asked for what I got—but if he expects me to change my mind about him, he’s mistaken. He can be as nasty or as nice to me as he likes, it won’t make a scrap of difference. Have you seen him this morning, by the way? He wasn’t at breakfast.’'
    “Can’t say I have.” Fay stretched gracefully. “I shall miss this life of luxury when we get to Cape Town. It will be back to the kitchen sink for me.”
    Lorna grinned sympathetically. “You know you won’t mind so long as you’re with your precious Gordon.”
    “True, but I’ve grown sort of used to being waited on. It’s spoilt me. How about you, Lorna? What will you do after your sister’s wedding? Return to England?”
    Lorna shrugged. “I suppose so. I can’t sponge off Pieter for too long and I doubt if there’s much work on the island. I haven’t really made any definite plans.”
    “Come and spend a holiday with us before you go back,” invited Fay. “I’d love you to meet Gordon and I know he’d be delighted to have you. Promise?”
    Lorna could hardly refuse and laughingly agreed that she would do her best to pay them a visit.
    Ashley was still absent at lunchtime, but on the table Lorna found an envelope bearing her name in heavy black writing. Puzzled, she tore it open, her face hardening as she read the invitation—no, a summons, she decided—to the Apollo Suite, Ashley Ward’s residence for the journey.
    The note was brief and to the point, requesting her presence in his rooms at three o’clock as there was something he wanted to discuss. He apparently took it for granted that she would be there. Typical of the man, she fumed. Who did he think he was, demanding her presence? Then it struck her that he might have been more seriously hurt than she had thought. Perhaps he was going to take further action? It would account for his absence, but it didn’t excuse his commanding manner.
    Undecided as she was whether or not to go, curiosity eventually got the better of her and promptly at three Lorna went up to the Observation Deck and found the door marked 202 which was, according to Ashley’s note, the Apollo Suite.
    He opened the door