urpose, loftily spurning entire concealment, according to the motto
of his life. "You see, sir," he said, as he rose to depart, "what I have
told you is very important, and in the strictest confidence, of course,
because I never do anything on the sly."

"Mr. Mordacks, you have surprised me," answered Dr. Upround; "though
I am not so very much wiser at present. I really must congratulate you
upon your activity, and the impression you create."

"Not at all, sir, not at all. It is my manner of doing business, now for
thirty years or more. Moles and fools, sir, work under-ground, and only
get traps set for them; I travel entirely above-ground, and go ten miles
for their ten inches. My strategy, sir, is simplicity. Nothing puzzles
rogues so much, because they can not believe it."

"The theory is good; may the practice prove the same! I should be sorry
to be against you in any case you undertake. In the present matter I am
wholly with you, so far as I understand what it is. Still, Flamborough
is a place of great difficulties--"

"The greatest difficulty of all would be to fail, as I look at it.
Especially with your most valuable aid."

"What little I can do shall be most readily forth-coming. But remember
there is many a slip--If you had interfered but one month ago, how much
easier it might have been!"

"Truly. But I have to grope my way; and it is a hard people, as you say,
to deal with. But I have no fear, sir; I shall overcome all Flamborough,
unless--unless, what I fear to think of, there should happen to be
bloodshed."

"There will be none of that, Mr. Mordacks; we are too skillful, and too
gentle, for anything more than a few cracked crowns."

"Then everything is as it ought to be. But I must be off; I have many
points to see to. How I find time for this affair is the wonder."

"But you will not leave us, I suppose, until--until what appears to be
expected has happened!"

"When I undertake a thing, Dr. Upround, my rule is to go through with
it. You have promised me the honor of an interview at any time. Good-by,
sir; and pray give the compliments of Mr. Mordacks to the ladies."

With even more than his usual confidence and high spirits the general
factor mounted horse and rode at once to Bridlington, or rather to the
quay thereof, in search of Lieutenant Carroway. But Carroway was not
at home, and his poor wife said, with a sigh, that now she had given up
expecting him. "Have no fear, madam; I will bring h