e blind up. The signal is simplicity itself; we can't
misunderstand each other. Look your best to-morrow! Make sure of him, my
dear girl--make sure of him, if you possibly can."

He had spoken loud enough to feel certain that she had heard him, but no
answering word came from her. The dead silence was only disturbed by the
rustling of her dress, which told him she had risen from her chair. Her
shadowy presence crossed the room again; the door shut softly; she was
gone. He rang the bell hurriedly for the lights. The servant found him
standing close at the window, looking less self-possessed than usual. He
told her he felt a little poorly, and sent her to the cupboard for the
brandy.

At a few minutes before twelve the next day Captain Wragge withdrew to
his post of observation, concealing himself behind a fishing-boat drawn
up on the beach. Punctually as the hour struck, he saw Noel Vanstone
approach North Shingles and open the garden gate. When the house door
had closed on the visitor, Captain Wragge settled himself comfortably
against the side of the boat and lit his cigar.

He smoked for half an hour--for ten minutes over the half-hour, by his
watch. He finished the cigar down to the last morsel of it that he could
hold in his lips. Just as he had thrown away the end, the door opened
again and Noel Vanstone came out.

The captain looked up instantly at Magdalen's window. In the absorbing
excitement of the moment, he counted the seconds. She might get from the
parlor to her own room in less than a minute. He counted to thirty, and
nothing happened. He counted to fifty, and nothing happened. He gave up
counting, and left the boat impatiently, to return to the house.

As he took his first step forward he saw the signal.

The blind was drawn up.

Cautiously ascending the eminence of the beach, Captain Wragge looked
toward Sea-view Cottage before he showed himself on the Parade. Noel
Vanstone had reached home again; he was just entering his own door.

"If all your money was offered me to stand in your shoes," said the
captain, looking after him--"rich as you are, I wouldn't take it!"

CHAPTER VIII.

ON returning to the house, Captain Wragge received a significant message
from the servant. "Mr. Noel Vanstone would call again at two o'clock
that afternoon, when he hoped to have the pleasure of finding Mr.
Bygrave at home."

The captain's first inquiry after hearing this message referred to
Magdalen. "Where w