t of
grinning idiots; I may--"

"What would you do, Henry?" asked the skipper very quietly.

"Go back an' fetch Miss Gething, o' course," said the boy, "an' take her
down to the ship. That'll settle it."

"By Jove! the boy's right," said the mate--"if there's time."

But the skipper had already started.

"You're a very good boy, Henry," said the mate approvingly. "Now go down
and watch the _Frolic_ again, and as soon as she starts getting under
way run back and let us know. If she passes before he comes back I'll
hail her and try and find out what it all means."

Meantime the skipper, half walking, half running, went on his way to
Overcourt, arriving at Stagg's Gardens in a breathless condition. Number
five was fast asleep when he reached it and began a violent thumping
upon the door.

"Who's there? What do you want?" demanded a shrill voice as the window
was thrown up and a female head protruded.

"I want to see that young lady I brought here a little while ago," said
the skipper--"quick."

"What, at this time o' night!" said the lady. "Be reasonable, young man,
if you are sweethearting."

"Something important," said the skipper impatiently.

"Can't you tell me what it is?" said the lady, who felt that she was in
a position to have her curiosity satisfied.

"Tell her I've got news of her father," said the skipper, restraining
himself with difficulty.

The head disappeared and the window was closed. After what seemed an
hour to the impatient man, he heard a step in the passage, the door
opened, and Annis stood before him.

With a very few words they were walking together again down the road,
Annis listening to his story as they went. It was a long way, and she
was already tired, but she refused the offer of her companion's arm with
a spirit which showed that she had not forgotten the previous journey.
As they neared the _Seamew_ the skipper's spirits sank, for the mate,
who was watching, ran out to meet them.

"It's no use," he said sympathetically; "she's under way. Shall we hail
her as she goes by?"

The skipper, leaving Annis unceremoniously on the quay, sprang aboard
and peered anxiously down the river. The night was starlit, and he could
just discern a craft coming slowly towards them.

"Hoist a couple of lanterns, Jack, and call the crew up quickly," he
cried to the mate.

"What for?" said the other in astonishment.

"You light 'em," cried the skipper excitedly. "Henry, help me off with
t