The Mystery of the Sea

interpretation of secret writing. At first, perhaps, he may regard the matter lightly and be inclined to smile at its triviality. But after a little while, if he have in him at all

All day long the hidden mystery was before me; wherever I was, in my room, still or contorting myself; walking on the beach; or out on the headlands, with the breezes singing in my ears, and the waves lapping below my feet. Hitherto in my life my only experience of haunting had been that of Gormala; but even that experience failed before the ever-hopeful, ever-baffling subject of the cryptograms. The worst of my feeling, a

n I saw the high dog-cart dash past the gat

but the elder lady required a good deal of help. It is always thus; the experience of every young man is the same. Every woman, old or you

' had come into the hotel sitt

s for all the trouble

continued gravely, "that is very nice of you. Now we want you to add to your kindness and tak

"Why, Marjory, it was washed into the sea before Mr. Hunter came to help us!" The slight, quick blush which rose to he

king that sketch, I want to do it; even if my first effort went wrong.

o if I sit on the rock near at hand? Somehow, since our experience there, I seem to prefer the mainland

the lunch basket; and have your eye on m

e preparing themselves for the boating trip I went to my room and took in my pocket the paper

each, piloted by one of John Hay's boys whilst the other took

teadily up it on Lammas Eve, came back to me; instinctively I looked round to s

at. The sea quivered with points of light, as though it were strewn with diamonds, and the lines of the racing tide threading a way amongst the rocks below were alone an endless source of interest. We rowed slowly which is much the safest way of progression in these waters, and especially when, as now, the tide was running towards the end of the ebb. As the boy seemed to know every one of the myriad rocks which topped the water, and by a sort of instinct even those that lay below, we steered a devious course. I had told him to take us round by the outer rocks from which thousands of seabirds rose screaming as we approached; and as we crept in under the largest of them we felt that mysterious sense of unworthiness which comes t

would have been for us

y low voice, "to be able to render an

rocks and in deep water, and shortly sighted the Sand Craigs. As we could see Mrs. Jack and her escort trudging leisurely along the sand, and as we did not wish to hurry her, I asked young Hay with my companion's consent, to keep round the outermost of

a little sheltered nook for Mrs. Jack, with rugs and cushions so that she might be quite at ease. Miss Anita chose the place herself. I am bound to say it was not just as I should have selected; for when

dding her head with coming sleep. Then Miss Anita got out her little easel which I fixed for her as she directed; when her camp stool was rightly placed and her palette

letter in my pocket. Without a word I took it out and handed it to her. There was a slight bl

not get i

our address, and did not

e began to read. When she had gone right

So I read; and now and again she asked me searching questions. Twice or three times I had to read ov

worked out su

trying to decipher the secret writing that I ha

succeeded

et I have nothing definite; though I am bound

both the numbe

"but as yet I want a

tudied that the cipher is a biliteral one

tly how I came to think

combination

at I ca

binations of l

e. There are

he biliteral cipher to the lowest dimensions you

my friends had left Cruden-would be to reduce Bacon's biliteral. It wa

st obey you, Madam!'" She painted away steadily for some time. I was looking at her,

beyond you the rocks were all fringed with foam, your head looked as if

ind of

At this time, God knows, I did not want any spurring. I was head over heels in love with the girl, and my only fear was lest by precipitancy I should spoil it all. Not for

e flo

nd then with a blush continue

This was a counter-stroke with a vengeance

o in which white flowers are used. Besides, t

in in the meekness of the voice. But I did not

with her work. That glance was to a certain degree encouragement; but it was to a much greater degree dangerous, for it was

questions, and I promised to show her the secret writing

l; and you are to dine with us." I

l be de

better go and wake Mrs. Jack. See! the tide has been rising al

ened her; but she too was ready for

carrying the basket and helping Mrs. Jack back to the carriage. "You will be able to row all right,

Mrs. Jack and the boys getting further away each step, I took my

ing that he would give all the rest of the world to have a chance of getting-do-do you think he should remain silent?" I could see t

ghed with a dash of bitterness which

trospective eagerness over the million flashing diamonds of the sea; I rowed on with all my strength, glad to let go on something

not better keep outside the dangerous rocks. There is not a sail in sight; not one, so far as I know, over the whole horizon, so you need not fear any collision. Remember, I

now a possible secret meaning in everything I read. But oh! the poverty of written words beside the gracious richness of speech! No man who had a heart to feel or a brain to understand could have mistaken her meaning. She gave warning, and hope, and

een Lauchlane Macleod go down into th