The Cryptogram

. That the officers of the law were at the door none of us doubted. We stood still where we were, and in a

Ragoul, and so loudly that his wife

n a low voice. "I fear we are in a trap

Miss Hatherton's sake we must not be taken. There is a chance for us yet

ce," I urged, taking cour

the pounding, and a voice

ithout the loss of another second. We found the side door, opened it, and closed it softly behind us when we stepped into the court. The pounding at the fron

d not detect the slightest tremor in her touch. We glided swiftly across the court, and entered a narrow passage lead

with a movement to draw a w

he two fell after a brief scuffle, and I heard somebody's head give the stone an u

Hatherton asked, in

, and recognized him a

but he got a bad fall, and won't k

reconnoiter, and he called to us sharply to join him. We did s

mpanions with him," said I. "It

Mackenzie has wasted no time in showing his hand. But I think we are fairly safe, and if the skipper

replied. "You say the m

ough of speech! Do you and Miss Hatherton follow me

ended from the front, since the alarm had roused some of the inhabitants of the quarter from their beds. Here and there men passed us with sharp glances, and curious faces stared down at us from open windows. But no

the direction of the hotel, we could see vaguely-moving figures, and th

as been disco

coming this way. Some persons whom we met have given information. But the rive

m?" Miss Hatherton

rking doubt. "Keep up your courage. W

ot in, Baptiste retreated to the bow, and Miss Hatherton and myself occupied the stern seat. The captain took the oars, and he wisely made the most of the opportunity by pulling straight out from shore and in between the shipping that was anchored hereabouts. It is a wonder we fared so well, for swinging lanterns shed their light upon us, and we passed under decks where

e are seeking near

seat, and pointed to a dark obj

replied, "a quarter of a mile o

town's edge, mainly in the direction of the landing-stairs, and we looked for a boat to appear behind us at any

the ship, which was a tidy brig of some hundred and fifty tons burden. Her sea gear was rove and her

nker?" the ca

e you?" came

s Rud

us he cast the boat adrift. At the first sight, seeing him on deck by the glare of a lantern, I was favorably impressed by Hiram Bunker. He was a short, thick-se

en to the row over yonder," pointing to the shore, "and that's why I'm on deck at this h

ion thoroughly clear, and the little ski

crape," was his

can get us out of i

"I'm a Hudson Bay man at heart, and I

will sail

or daylight to start. It's not far off that now. But, shiver my tim

as not a moment to lose, and the skipper was aware of the fact. He hastily roused the crew, and I never saw a mo

or there was no telling as yet what was going to happen. A stiff breeze was blowing ready for the canvas, and when the anchor was lifted we began

cried the skipper.

the law," a harsh voice replied. "G

rms, and catching a sudden glea

fire a single shot I'll giv

so the danger passed. The Speedwell bore swiftly on, leaving a foamy wake dancing on the bosom of the St. Lawrence, and in my delight I felt tempte