marquise, at least, with hair grey; but no, he
could not have a boat for any money. Why could not monsieur take his
sick friend for a beautiful long drive?"

Stratton jumped at the proposal.

"Yes; that would do," he said.

"Then Guillaume should have the horse and chaise ready at any time
monsieur chose to name."

A sense of relief came over Stratton as he finished his arrangements.
The car was to be waiting till the sick friend was brought over, and
then they would start at once--after breakfast--no, perhaps sooner. It
was to be ready for them to start at any time; for the invalid was
capricious; and it was uncertain when they would come back.

Stratton could do no more but wait. He dared not show himself for fear
the admiral might be out early; and he shuddered at the idea of the old
man strolling about on the sands and encountering Brettison and his
charge.

But he felt that his old friend would take care, and, going back to his
rooms with the intention of forcing himself to wait patiently, he
watched the sun rise in all its glory over the sea of fire, while the
clouds and mists around were one blaze of effulgent hues.

It was impossible to help a feeling of elation as nature smiled upon him
full of hope and joy; and the determination to act manfully and well
grew and grew in Stratton's breast as, in obedience to a thought, he
went to where a glass hung in the passage of the little inn, and took it
up to his window.

It was with throbbing heart that he adjusted it, and brought it to bear
upon the pretty little chateau high upon the cliff, covered with
creepers, and with its terrace garden a mass of flowers.

He scanned window after window, but not a soul was visible, and after a
time he brought it to bear on the fisher's cottage at the foot of the
cliff, where he saw the smoke curling up clear and blue, though it was
quite a mile away. Dale's brawny French nurse stood outside in the
early morning sunshine knitting. The fisherman was at his boat making
some repairs, where it lay bottom upward, and his wife was going in and
out busy over household affairs, but it was too early for sign of the
other occupants.

After a time Stratton was summoned to breakfast, and, after swallowing a
little bread and coffee hastily, he made sure that the car and driver
were ready, and with the excitement growing, returned to his place of
observation with the glass, where he was seen by the landlady, who
remarked to he