he should suddenly unveil his own infamy, and then depart, never to be
seen again. To this end he had invented an excuse for returning to the
shore at the latest possible moment. He had purposely left in his room
a dressing-bag--the sort of article one is likely to forget in the hurry
of departure from one's house, and so certain to remember when the time
comes to finally prepare for settling in another. He had ingeniously
extracted from Blunt the fact that "he didn't expect a wind before dark,
but wanted all ship-shape and aboard", and then, just as darkness fell,
discovered that it was imperative for him to go ashore. Blunt cursed,
but, if the chaplain insisted upon going, there was no help for it.

"There'll be a breeze in less than two hours," said he. "You've plenty
of time, but if you're not back before the first puff, I'll sail without
you, as sure as you're born." North assured him of his punctuality.
"Don't wait for me, Captain, if I'm not here," said he with the
lightness of tone which men use to mask anxiety. "I'd take him at his
word, Blunt," said the Commandant, who was affably waiting to take final
farewell of his wife. "Give way there, men," he shouted to the crew,
"and wait at the jetty. If Mr. North misses his ship through your
laziness, you'll pay for it." So the boat set off, North laughing
uproariously at the thought of being late. Frere observed with some
astonishment that the chaplain wrapped himself in a boat cloak that lay
in the stern sheets. "Does the fellow want to smother himself in a night
like this!" was his remark. The truth was that, though his hands and
head were burning, North's teeth chattered with cold. Perhaps this was
the reason why, when landed and out of eyeshot of the crew, he produced
a pocket-flask of rum and eagerly drank. The spirit gave him courage for
the ordeal to which he had condemned himself; and with steadied step,
he reached the door of the old prison. To his surprise, Gimblett refused
him admission!

"But I have come direct from the Commandant," said North.

"Got any order, sir?"

"Order! No."

"I can't let you in, your reverence," said Gimblett.

"I want to see the prisoner Dawes. I have a special message for him. I
have come ashore on purpose."

"I am very sorry, sir--"

"The ship will sail in two hours, man, and I shall miss her," said
North, indignant at being frustrated in his design. "Let me pass."

"Upon my honour, sir, I daren't," said Gimblett, w