th a body as soon as possible. For you can't improve so well on
ideas as you can on bodies."

With that, going to a little drawer, he produced a small basket, filled
with a curious looking unfinished frame-work of wood, and several bits
of wood unattached. It looked like a nursery basket containing broken
odds and ends of playthings.

"Now look here, Captain, though the thing is but begun at present, yet
there is enough to show that _one_ idea at least of yours is not
feasible."

Paul was all attention, as if having unbounded confidence in whatever
the sage might suggest, while Israel looked on quite as interested as
either, his heart swelling with the thought of being privy to the
consultations of two such men; consultations, too, having ultimate
reference to such momentous affairs as the freeing of nations.

"If," continued the Doctor, taking up some of the loose bits and piling
them along on one side of the top of the frame, "if the better to
shelter your crew in an engagement, you construct your rail in the
manner proposed--as thus--then, by the excessive weight of the timber,
you will too much interfere with the ship's centre of gravity. You will
have that too high."

"Ballast in the hold in proportion," said Paul.

"Then you will sink the whole hull too low. But here, to have less smoke
in time of battle, especially on the lower decks, you proposed a new
sort of hatchway. But that won't do. See here now, I have invented
certain ventilating pipes, they are to traverse the vessel thus"--laying
some toilette pins along--"the current of air to enter here and be
discharged there. What do you think of that? But now about the main
things--fast sailing driving little to leeward, and drawing little
water. Look now at this keel. I whittled it only night before last, just
before going to bed. Do you see now how"--

At this crisis, a knock was heard at the door, and the chambermaid
reappeared, announcing that two gentlemen were that moment crossing the
court below to see Doctor Franklin.

"The Duke de Chartres, and Count D'Estang," said the Doctor; "they
appointed for last night, but did not come. Captain, this has something
indirectly to do with your affair. Through the Duke, Count D'Estang has
spoken to the King about the secret expedition, the design of which you
first threw out. Call early to-morrow, and I will inform you of the
result."

With his tawny hand Paul pulled out his watch, a small, richly-jewelled