ned out
of the window, and observed coming from the path which led to the Bu de
la Rue a boy pushing a wheelbarrow. The boy was going towards St.
Peter's Port. In the barrow was a portmanteau of brown leather, studded
with nails of brass and white metal.

Mess Lethierry called to the boy:

"Where are you going, my lad?"

The boy stopped, and replied:

"To the _Cashmere_."

"What for?"

"To take this trunk aboard."

"Very good; you shall take these three letters too."

Mess Lethierry opened the drawer of his table, took a piece of string,
tied the three letters which he had just written across and across, and
threw the packet to the boy, who caught it between his hands.

"Tell the captain of the _Cashmere_ they are my letters, and to take
care of them. They are for Germany--Breme _via_ London."

"I can't speak to the captain, Mess Lethierry."

"Why not?"

"The _Cashmere_ is not at the quay."

"Ah!"

"She is in the roads."

"Ay, true; on account of the sea."

"I can only speak to the man who takes the things aboard."

"You will tell him, then, to look to the letters."

"Very well, Mess Lethierry."

"At what time does the _Cashmere_ sail?"

"At twelve."

"The tide will flow at noon; she will have it against her."

"But she will have the wind," answered the lad.

"Boy," said Mess Lethierry, pointing with his forefinger at the engine
in the sloop, "do you see that? There is something which laughs at winds
and tides."

The boy put the letters in his pocket, took up the handles of the barrow
again, and went on his way towards the town. Mess Lethierry called
"Douce! Grace!"

Grace opened the door a little way.

"What is it, Mess?"

"Come in and wait a moment."

Mess Lethierry took a sheet of paper, and began to write. If Grace,
standing behind him, had been curious, and had leaned forward while he
was writing, she might have read as follows:--

"I have written to Breme for the timber. I have appointments all the
morning with carpenters for the estimate. The rebuilding will go on
fast. You must go yourself to the Deanery for a licence. It is my wish
that the marriage should take place as soon as possible; immediately
would be better. I am busy about the Durande. Do you be busy about
Deruchette."

He dated it and signed "Lethierry." He did not take the trouble to seal
it, but merely folded it in four, and handed it to Grace, saying:

"Take that to Gilliatt."

"To the Bu de la Rue?"