alarms. We must use
more summary methods." He stood for a moment or two reflective,
tapping his snuff-box. "Mr. Goodfellow is a carpenter, I
understand."

"At your service, sir."

Mr. Goodfellow's hand went halfway to his waistcoat pocket, as if to
produce his business card.

"I seem to remember, Mr. Goodfellow that you carry a bag of tools in
the boat?"

"Yes, sir."

"Including, no doubt, an auger, or, at any rate, a fair-sized
gimlet?"

"Both, sir."

"You will greatly oblige me, then, Mr. Goodfellow--always with
Captain Branscome's leave--by returning to the boat and fetching your
auger; if possible, without attracting the ladies' observation.
With this instead of returning direct to us, you will make your way
to the left, towards the head of the beach, keeping well under the
rocks, which will serve you from landward. At the head of the beach
you will bring us into sight a pace or two before you come abreast of
the boat. There, at a signal from me, you will creep down to the
boat--on hands and knees, or on your stomach if you will--and bore me
three small holes close alongside her keelson, using as much
expedition as may consist with neatness. You understand? Then the
quicker you set about it, the less will be the risk."

Mr. Goodfellow touched his forelock, and sped on his errand.
Dr. Beauregard seated himself on the rocks, and loosing the gun from
his bandolier, laid it across his knees.

"A simple job," he remarked. "Any one of us could do it as well as
Goodfellow. But it is a practice of mine to take the smallest risks
into account; and if the honest fellow _should_ be detected, why, I
imagine he can be the most easily spared of the party."

Mr. Goodfellow, however, reached the boat without misadventure.

"Ah, he displays intelligence!" commented Dr. Beauregard, watching
him as, before setting to work, he lifted the boat's gunwale and
heaved her over on her other side, exposing the bilgepiece on which
she had been resting. "Yes, decidedly, he displays intelligence."

Mr. Goodfellow having stripped off his coat, picked up his auger and
bored his three holes very neatly. This done be rubbed them over
with a handful of sand, and smoothed over with sand all traces of
sawdust, heaved the boat back, so that she rested again in her
original position; and retired, sweeping his coat behind him, and
obliterating his footprints as he went.

"Couldn't be bettered!" said Dr. Beauregard, smiling ch