l, or the reverse, with him? Here was a knotty problem, and one
which, in some form or other, has ere now puzzled wiser heads than
Waters's. For as the traveller threw off in the sunshine the cloak
which he had gathered round him in the storm, prosperity will as often
disclose the secrets of our hearts as that very poverty that has not
wealth enough to buy a padlock for them.

"You want to land here, young man," said the captain to Tony; "and
there's a shore-boat close alongside. Be alive, and jump in when she
comes near."

"Good-bye, Tom," said Tony, shaking hands with him. "I 'll report well
of the beasts, and say also how kindly you treated me."

"You 'll tell Sir Arthur that the rub on the off shoulder won't signify,
sir; and that Emperor's hock is going down every day. And please to say,
sir,--for he 'll mind _you_ more than me,--that there 's nothing will
keep beasts from kicking when a ship takes to rollin'; and that when the
helpers got sea-sick, and could n't keep on deck, if it had n't been
for yourself--Oh, he's not minding a word I'm saying," muttered he,
disconsolately; and certainly this was the truth, for Tony was now
standing on a bulwark, with the end of a rope in his hand, slung whip
fashion from the yard, to enable him to swing himself at an opportune
moment into the boat, all the efforts of the rowers being directed to
keep her from the steamer's side.

"Now's your time, my smart fellow," cried the Captain,--"off with you!"
And, as he spoke, Tony swung himself free with a bold spring, and, just
as the boat rose on a wave, dropped neatly into her.

"Well done for a landsman!" cried the skipper; "port the helm, and keep
away."

"You 're forgetting the bundle, Master Tony," cried Waters, and he flung
it towards him with all his strength; but it fell short, dropped into
the sea, floated for about a second or so, and then sank forever.

Tony uttered what was not exactly a blessing on his awkwardness, and,
turning his back to the steamer, seized the tiller and steered for
shore.

CHAPTER XVI. AT THE ABBEY

"Who said that Tony Butler had come back?" said Sir Arthur, as they sat
at breakfast on the day after his arrival.

"The gardener saw him last night, papa," said Mrs. Trafford; "he was
sitting with his mother on the rocks below the cottage; and when Gregg
saluted him, he called out, 'All well at the Abbey, I hope?'"

"It would have been more suitable if he had taken the trouble to assure