perfect confidence in her, and he
was willing to have her tested in any weather by any boatman on the
lake.

"Pearl Hawlinshed wanted to buy her; and he claims to be the greatest
boatman on the lake, and knows his way all over it from Whitehall to St.
Johns," added the hotel-keeper. "He knows just where the bottom is in
every place."

"I think he does," replied Dory, laughing. "I know he found it yesterday
and to-day. Any fellow knows just where the bottom is, but he don't
always know how far it is from the top."

"I often have parties here who want a boat and a skipper; and I may be
able to turn some business into your hands, Dory," added the
hotel-keeper.

"Thank you, sir: that's what I want every day in the week, except
Sunday," replied the skipper of the Goldwing.

After dinner Dory and his passengers went to the wharf, and in a few
minutes they were standing up the lake. The wind was considerably
fresher than it had been in the morning, and the Goldwing made about six
miles an hour. The bad reputation of the boat had made some impression
upon Peppers, and at first he was very shy when she heeled over under
the influence of the smart breeze.

Dory soon satisfied him that the boat would not upset, with any thing
like fair treatment. He explained and illustrated the lee-helm business.
With the tiller fast in the comb, he allowed the craft to have her own
way. At the next gust she threw her head up into the wind, and spilled
all her sails. This satisfied both of the passengers, and they
manifested no more timidity.

In an hour and a half the schooner was up with Stave Island. The
detective had asked the skipper half a dozen times if he could see any
thing of the Missisquoi; but the islands had concealed her from view, if
she were still on the shoal. A few minutes more would enable him to
answer the question. Dory's passengers had plied him so closely with
questions since they started, that he had forgotten all about the matter
the officer was to explain to him; but the expectation of soon seeing
Pearl brought it back to his mind.

"You haven't told me yet why I was charged with taking Mr. Moody's money
from his room," said he.

"One reason was, that you were seen about the hotel, near Mr. Moody's
room; and the other was, that you had money enough to buy this boat,"
replied Peppers. "But I was satisfied that you didn't take the money as
soon as I got the facts from Moody."

"It was a lucky thing for you,