reement.

"Now," said the middy, taking out his purse, "that's all fixed; here is
five shillings in advance, and twenty shillings will follow when the
performance is over. Don't forget the time and place: the village of
Cove, the rear of Stephen Gaff's cottage--everybody knows it--and eight
o'clock precisely."

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.

MAD HACO STARTLED AT LAST.

That evening Haco Barepoles was seen on the road to Cove, with his
coat-skirts, his cravat-ends, and his hair streaming in the breeze.

An hour previously, however, a brass band was seen walking towards the
same place, and, half an hour after that, a young midshipman was
observed posting rapidly in the same direction.

It was dark when Gildart entered the village, and all the inhabitants
were in their dwellings, so that he reached Gaff's cottage unperceived.

The village was a primitive one. Locks were deemed unnecessary in most
of the cottages, probably because there was nothing worth stealing
within them. Gildart lifted the latch and entered. A fire, nearly out,
with a large piece of coal on it, burned in the grate. The flicker of
this was sufficient to illuminate the boudoir faintly.

Having surveyed the apartment, examined the closet, and looked under the
bed, he went out, and, going to the back of the cottage, found the band
waiting in some anxiety.

"Now, lads, come this way," said Gildart; "and there's only one piece of
advice I've got to give you: don't stir hand or foot after Haco enters
the cottage. He's as big as an elephant, and strong as a lion. If you
stir, and he finds you out, he won't spare you."

"But you promise to come to the rescue, master," said the French horn in
some alarm.

"Ay, that will I; but he'll have two of you floored, another strangled,
and the fourth half-skinned before I can get him to stop."

"I don't half like it," said the clarionet anxiously.

"Pooh! pooh!" exclaimed the key-bugle, "we'll be more than a match for
him; come on; it's worth riskin' for twenty-five bob."

"Hear! hear!" cried the trombone.

"Well, then, enter," said Gildart, pushing open the door, and holding it
while the band filed into the passage. He followed them and closed the
door.

In a short time Haco Barepoles made his appearance. He also passed
through the village unobserved, and, entering the cottage, closed the
door. Thereafter he proceeded to make himself comfortable. The
"boodwar" was empty--at least of human beings,