The Cryptogram

town, where for some reason she had anchored during the night. It was unlikely that I should be kept waiting long, yet I was in no haste to play the unaccustomed role

lls and islands, on the rugged and historical heights of the town. Many others besides myself were on the quay, doubtless drawn hither for the same purpose-priests, soldiers, soberly-clad citizens, several coureurs-de-bois, and a r

the arrival of a ship

ptain replied. "But for the earl

ion as he glanced at me, and that he seemed disinclined to look me straight in the eyes. He ignored the events of the previous night, neit

g for the Good

ded a

arelessly; and I detected a masked note of c

ied evasively. "I am to meet a

s precisely my situation." He bent his head a little closer. "I am on du

h no reason why I should not speak freely; but it pleased me to be as mysterious as himself, so I ans

with that he bowed curtly and strode awa

er, and half-minded to take to my heels like a foolish boy. But for very shame I

rowded with figures, the breeze bellying her canvas and fluttering the flag of England at the masthead. I was fairly carried away by the novel ex

en decked out in lace and fine clothing, and a motley sprinkling of others. They passed on, some being met and embraced by waiting friends; and next came an elderly, sour-l

Miss Hathert

ped. "Wretch,

onged to hide my face, and I vowed that I would make no more rash ventures. I was a

did I hear you inquir

ach, and little curls of brown hair straying from under her dainty bonnet. By her fine clothing and her clear-cut features I knew that her station in life was of the best. I, who had given no second thought to a woman in all my life, felt a thrill of a

therton," I stammered, "

oke she made a sudden and strange sign that puzzled me

ht be a mistake somewhere. I shrank from picturing this young and beautiful girl as the wife of old Griffith Hawk

u, stupid?"

y Miss Hather

ourse

I, "and I am here to meet you in b

ped and her f

imed, "I though

us, and I looked up to recognize Captain Rudstone. He paid no heed to my presence, but

Captain R

elle," he replied,

eant. I overheard the words "Lord Selkirk" and "dispatches," and then I saw the girl draw the end of a sealed packet of papers from her bosom; but she thrust them out of sight again at a sharp command fro

escort her to the lodgings where s

attention is prior to yours,

d hotly. "Will you be so k

careful lest you provok

t, sirs," exclaimed Miss Hatherton. "You a

e precedence, mademois

swer an abrupt and unexpecte