of a looking-person was it that
came in the morning-boat from Cedar Keys?" I asked.

The pilot described Cornwood as though he were a novelist. Of course I
had no difficulty in supposing it was he. In order to get the most
reliable intelligence from the pilot, I told him all about the abrupt
departure of the Islander from Jacksonville without her owner and his
family. I stated my belief that Captain Blastblow was avoiding us, and
that he had put to sea as soon as he discovered the Sylvania headed in
for Key West. I told him the sudden departure of the other steamer was
a great mystery to her owner and all the rest of us.

"I am sure I don't know anything about the matter, Captain Alick. I
don't believe the Islander intended to stop at the city, for the man
from Cedar Keys----"

"His name is Cornwood," I interposed.

"Cornwood went off in a boat and hailed the Islander. She would not
stop till he flourished a letter. I was out in my boat looking for any
craft that wanted a pilot, and I was close aboard of her. When she
stopped I climbed aboard on one side while Cornwood got aboard on the
other side. Instead of delivering the letter to the captain, he said it
was for a person supposed to be on board. The captain indulged in
strong talk; but Cornwood made some statement I did not hear, which
seemed to satisfy him. The steamer came to anchor just outside of Fort
Taylor. When the captain told me he did not want a pilot, I left the
steamer. As I pulled away, I saw that a sharp lookout was kept over the
stern of the Islander, which I can understand now, if I could not
then."

"You don't know whether or not Cornwood delivered any letter to the
captain of the Islander?" I inquired, with deep interest.

"Very likely he did, but not while I was on board. I pulled up the
harbor, and landed the other side of the Lazaretto. Before I reached
the shore I saw Cornwood and a swellish-looking fellow rowing to the
same landing-place. Cornwood was talking very earnestly to the swell,
and continued to do so after they got ashore."

"What did the swell look like?" I asked, wondering who he could be, for
I had seen all the crew of the Islander, and could remember no one that
looked like a swell.

Captain Cayo gave a minute description of the person; but it would have
applied as well to one swell as to another.

"Did you see anything more of Cornwood and this swell?" I asked,
somewhat excited over the narrative, and hoping to get som