im back," Mordacks
answered, as if he already held him by the collar. "I have very good
news, madam, very grand news for him, and you, and all those lovely and
highly intelligent children. Place me, madam, under the very deepest
obligation by allowing these two little dears to take the basket I see
yonder, and accompany me to that apple stand. I saw there some fruit of
a sort which used to fit my teeth most wonderfully when they were
just the size of theirs. And here is another little darling, with a
pin-before infinitely too spotless. If you will spare her also, we will
do our best to take away that reproach, ma'am."

"Oh, sir, you are much too kind. But to speak of good news does one
good. It is so long since there has been any, that I scarcely know how
to pronounce the words."

"Mistress Carroway, take my word for it, that such a state of things
shall be shortly of the past. I will bring back Captain Carroway, madam,
to his sweet and most beautifully situated home, and with tidings which
shall please you."

"It is kind of you not to tell me the good news now, sir. I shall enjoy
it so much more, to see my husband hear it. Good-by, and I hope that you
will soon be back again."

While Mr. Mordacks was loading the children with all that they made soft
mouths at, he observed for the second time three men who appeared to be
taking much interest in his doings. They had sauntered aloof while he
called at the cottage, as if they had something to say to him, but would
keep it until he had finished there. But they did not come up to him as
he expected; and when he had seen the small Carroways home, he rode
up to ask what they wanted with him. "Nothing, only this, sir," the
shortest of them answered, while the others pretended not to hear; "we
was told that yon was Smuggler's house, and we thought that your Honor
was the famous Captain Lyth."

"If I ever want a man," said the general factor, "to tell a lie with a
perfect face, I shall come here and look for you, my friend." The man
looked at him, and smiled, and nodded, as much as to say, "You might
get it done worse," and then carelessly followed his comrades toward the
sea. And Mr. Mordacks, riding off with equal jauntiness, cocked his
hat, and stared at the Priory Church as if he had never seen any such
building before.

"I begin to have a very strong suspicion," he said to himself as he put
his horse along, "that this is the place where the main attack will be.
Signs