rses'
speed, the ninety miles being covered in the very fast time, for the
period, of ten hours. At the last stage Will asked for a room to himself
for a few minutes and there changed his clothes. They were put down in
front of a private house, and, having seen the post-chaise drive off, took
their bags and walked on until they reached a tailor's shop.

"I want to put my man into plain clothes while he is with me in town,"
Will said to the shopman.

"Yes, sir. What sort of clothes?"

"Oh, just private clothes, such as a valet might wear when out of livery!"

Lucien was soon rigged out in a suit of quiet but respectable garments,
and, putting his sailor suit into his bag, they went on. They looked about
for a considerable time before they found a suitable lodging, but at last
they came upon a French hotel. Entering, Will asked in French for two
rooms. They were at once accommodated, and after washing and dressing they
went down to the coffee-room, where several French gentlemen were
breakfasting. It had been arranged that Will should say that they were two
emigrants who had just effected their escape from France.

The next day they took the coach to Weymouth, the port from which at that
time communication was kept open with France by means of smugglers and men
who made a business of aiding the French emigrants who wanted to escape,
or the Royalists who went backwards and forwards trying to get up a
movement against the Republic. On making enquiries they heard of a man who
had a very fast little vessel, and they at once looked him up. "This
gentleman wants to go across," Will said. "What would you do it for?"

"It depends whether he will wait till I get some more passengers or not."

"He is pressed for time," Will said; "what will you run him over for
alone?"

"Fifty pounds," the man said. Will thought it advisable not to appear to
jump at the offer.

"That is rather stiff," he said; "I should think thirty-five would be
ample."

"It seems a good sum," the man said; "but you see there are dangers. I
might be overhauled by a British cruiser."

"You might," Will said; "but when they learned your business they would
not interfere with you."

"Then there are the port authorities," the man said.

"Yes, but a few francs would prevent them from asking inconvenient
questions. Besides, my friend is not a royalist, he is only going over to
see his friends."

"Well, we will say thirty-five," the man said with a smile