hesitating, "if so be that's
the case, why don't she strike her colors to her rightful owner? Why
don't you take command in open daylight, with the drums a-beating, and
the flags a-flying? What must you board her like a pirate in this way
fur? I've been a-thinkin' on it, and I think it's dangerous steering
along this coast. You see it's all in a fog; I can't make out the land
nowhere, and I'm afraid I shall be on the rocks afore I knows it. You
see, cap'n, I never wer' in such a thick mist since I first went to sea.
No offense to you, cap'n!"

"Oh, none in the world! No skillful pilot will risk his vessel in a fog.
But I have a certain golden telescope of magic powers. It enables you to
see clearly through the thickest mist, the darkest night that ever fell.
I will give it to you. In other words, I promised you five hundred
dollars for this job. Come, accomplish it to-night, and you shall have a
thousand. Is the mist lifting?"

"I think it is, cap'n! I begin to see land."

"Very well! now, is your memory as good as your sight? Do you recollect
the plan?"

"Ay, ay, sir."

"Just let me hear you go over it."

"I'm to bring the vessel round, and lay to about a quarter of a mile o'
the coast. At dusk I'm to put off in a skiff and row to Pine Bluff, and
lay under its shadow till I hear your signal. Then I'm to put to shore
and take in the--the--"

"The cargo."

"Ay, ay, sir, the cargo."

Leaving the two conspirators to improve and perfect their plot, we must
return to the breakfast parlor at Luckenough. The family were assembled
around the table. Dr. Grimshaw's dark, sombre and lowering looks, enough
to have spread a gloom over any circle, effectually banished
cheerfulness from the board. Marian had had no opportunity of reading
her note--she had slipped it into her pocket But as soon as breakfast
was over, amid the bustle of rising from the table, Marian withdrew to a
window and glanced over the lines.

"My own dearest one, forgive my haste this morning. I regret the
necessity of leaving so abruptly. I earnestly implore you to see me once
more--upon the beach, near the Pine Bluffs, this evening at dusk. I have
something of the utmost importance to say to you."

She hastily crumpled the note, and thrust it into her pocket just as
Jacquelina's quizzical face looked over her shoulder.

"You're going to stay all day with me, Marian?"

"Yes, love--that is, till after dinner. Then I shall have to beg of Mrs.
Waug