he table. "What a shame! It really tells us
nothing."

"Not a thing. Lafenestre might at least have mentioned the date of the
next visit."

"They all seem dreadfully afraid we may learn something." She took up
the other paper and unfolded it. "This is the list."

Then she read:

"Four sacks corn-meal,
Two sacks Graham flour,
Four boxes crackers,
Two barrels potatoes."

"Those must be downstairs," said Pats. "I see the cellar door is open."

Elinor continued:

"One box lemons,
Four dozen candles,
Four dozen Pontet Canet,
Six pounds tobacco--"

"Good!" said Pats. "Just what we need."

She went on:

"Four pounds coffee,
Four boxes matches,
One pocket-knife,
Six pairs woollen socks,
Six old maids--"

"Six _what_?"

"Six old maids: _vieilles filles_--that is certainly old maids."

"Yes, but, Heavens! What does he want so many for? And where are they?
In the cellar?"

She smiled, still regarding the paper. "But you needn't worry. They are
something to wear. It says six old maids, extra thick and double
length."

"Double length! Well, each man to his taste. Go on."

"That is all," and she dropped the paper on the table and looked up into
his face. Thoughtfully he stroked the three days' beard upon his chin.
He was watching through the open door the last clouds of mist as they
floated by, driven before the wind.

Suddenly he jumped to his feet. "Then you were right about the boat! You
_did_ hear one. And it was here an hour ago!"

Quickly he snatched a shotgun from the wall, rushed out of the house,
down to the edge of the point and discharged one of the barrels. He
shouted at the top of his voice, fired the second barrel and shouted
again. For a few moments he stood looking off into the slowly dissolving
fog, listening vainly for an answering sound.

Elinor joined him.

"I know it's of no use," he said, "for the wind is in the wrong
direction. But I thought I would try it."

A moment later the final cloud of mist in which they stood was swept
away, giving a clear view over all the waters to the south. And they
saw, disappearing toward the west, around a promontory, a speck upon the
blue horizon, and behind it a line of smoke.

In a melancholy silence both watched this far-away handful of vapor
until it faded into space. When no trace remained of the vanished craft,
Pats dropped the empty gun, slowly turned his head and regarded his
companion. In Elinor's eyes, as