s Major Binkus.

Jack told the Captain of the arrest of his friend.

"I expected it," said Preston. "So I have waited here for your ship.
It's that mongrel chap on The Star who got a tarring from Binkus and
his friends. He saw Binkus on your deck, as I did, and proclaimed his
purpose. So I am here to do what I can to help you. I can not forget
that you two men saved my life. Are there any papers on his person
which are likely to make him trouble?"

"No," said Jack, thinking of the letter lying safely in his own pocket.

"That's the important thing," Preston resumed. "Binkus is a famous
scout who is known to be anti-British. Such a man coming here is
supposed to be carrying papers. Between ourselves they would arrest
him on any pretext. You leave this matter in my hands. If he had no
papers he'll be coming on in a day or two."

"I'd like to go with you to find him," said Jack.

"Better not," Preston answered with a smile.

"Why?"

"Because I suspect you have the papers. They'll get you, too, if they
learn you are his friend. Keep away from him. Sit quietly here in the
inn until the post chaise starts for Canterbury. Don't let any one
pick a quarrel with you and remember this is all a sacred confidence
between friends."

"I thank you and my heart is in every word," said Jack as he pressed
the hand of the Captain. "After all friendship is a thing above
politics--even the politics of these bitter days."

3

He sat down with a sense of relief and spent the rest of the afternoon
reading the London papers although he longed to go and look at the
fortress of Deal Castle. He had tea at five and set out on the mail
carriage, with his box and bag, an hour later. The road was rough and
muddy with deep holes in it. At one point the chaise rattled and
bumped over a plowed field. Before dark he saw a man hanging in a
gibbet by the roadside. At ten o'clock they passed the huge gate of
Canterbury and drew up at an inn called The King's Head. The landlady
and two waiters attended for orders. He had some supper and went to
bed. Awakened at five A.M. by the sound of a bugle he arose and
dressed hurriedly and found the post chaise waiting. They went on the
King's Road from Canterbury and a mile out they came to a big, white
gate in the dim light of the early morning.

A young man clapped his mouth to the window and shouted:

"Sixpence, Yer Honor!"

It was a real turnpike and Jack stuck his head