," was the answer.

In a moment it flashed across Maitland that the old sailor had come to
reveal his discovery of M'Caskey. Just as quickly did he decide that it
was better to admit him, and, if possible, contrive to make the story
seem a secret between themselves.

"Come in, by all means,--the very man I wanted to see," said Maitland,
as he opened the door, and gave him a cordial shake-hands. "I was afraid
you were going without seeing me, Commodore; and, early as it was, I got
up and was dressing in hope to catch you."

"That I call hearty,--downright hearty,--Maitland."

Maitland actually started at this familiar mention of him by one whom he
had never met till a few days before.

"Rather a rare event in your life to be up at this hour, I 'll be
sworn,--except when you have n't been to bed, eh?" And he laughed
heartily at what he fancied was a most witty conceit. "You see we 're
all off! We 've had springs on our cables these last twenty-four hours,
with this frolicsome old woman, who would insist on being back for her
birthday; but she 's rich, Maitland, immensely rich, and we all worship
her!"

Maitland gave a faint shrug of the shoulders, as though he deplored the
degeneracy, but couldn't help it.

"Yes, yes; I 'm coming," cried the Commodore, shouting from the open
window to his daughters beneath. "The girls are impatient; they want to
be at Lesliesford when the others are crossing. There's a fresh on the
river, and it 's better to get some stout fellows to guide the carriages
through the water. I wanted greatly to have five minutes alone with
you,--five would do; half of it, perhaps, between men of the world, as
we are. You know about what."

"I suspect I do," said Maitland, quietly.

"I saw, too," resumed Graham, "that you wished to have no talk about it
here, amongst all these gossiping people. Was n't I right?"

"Perfectly right; you appreciated me thoroughly."

"What I said was this,--Maitland knows the world well. He 'll wait till
he has his opportunity of talking the matter over with myself. He 'll
say, 'Graham and I will understand one another at once.' One minute;
only one," screamed he out from the window. "Could n't you come down and
just say a word or two to them? They 'd like it so much."

Maitland muttered something about his costume.

"Ah! there it is. You fellows will never be seen till you are in full
fig. Well, I must be off. Now, then, to finish what we 've been saying.
You 'll