osity and impatience--woman-like, you see--in the presence of
a mystery."

"Well," said Lance, "you doubtless remember that on one occasion I
remarked upon the striking resemblance he bears to you; and, I might
have added, the still more striking resemblance between him and your
uncle, Sir Richard. My somewhat bungling remark, as I at the time
considered it, led to your relating to me first the history of your
friend Bob, and then that of your uncle's loss. As I listened to you,
the idea dawned upon me that Bob and your lost cousin might possibly be
one and the same individual I got the lad to tell me his story, which
was naturally somewhat more full and circumstantial than your own
sketch; and comparing dates and so on, I have been led to the conclusion
that he may indeed prove to be Sir Richard's son. In the first place,
his age, which of course can only be approximately guessed at, is about
the same as your cousin's would be, if alive. Next, there is the very
extraordinary likeness, almost _too_ striking, I think, to be merely
accidental; and lastly, the clothes he wore when found, and which are
still in existence, I understand, are marked with the initials R.L.,
which may stand for Richard Lascelles, the name, as I understood you,
which your cousin bore."

At this moment Captain Staunton made his appearance at the head of the
saloon staircase, and calling to the chief mate, said--

"Mr Bowles, pass the word for the carpenter to come aft to the saloon
_at once_, if you please. Let him look smart."

The skipper then disappeared below again; but not before the passengers,
who _were_ all by this time on the poop, had had time to observe that
his features wore a somewhat anxious expression.

The word was passed; and Chips, who was on the forecastle smoking his
pipe, at once came shambling aft. At the head of the companion-way he
encountered the steward, who went up to Mr Bowles, said a word or two
to him in a low tone of voice, and then returned below again.

Mr Bowles nodded; stepped quietly down to the main dock, and put his
head inside the door of the deck-house wherein Mr Dashwood was lodged;
and in another moment the second mate came out, followed the chief up to
the poop, and took charge of the deck; Mr Bowles immediately proceeding
below.

No one but Lance appeared to take any particular notice of these
movements, so quietly were they executed; and if he suspected that
anything was wrong he took care