He dismissed me with a wave of the hand, but called me back as I
turned to the door.

"Oh, by the way," said he, "I had almost forgotten the reason why I
sent for you. This man--have you any notion who he can be?"

"None, sir."

"You've thought over every possible person of your acquaintance?
Well"--as I nodded--"we shall know to-morrow morning, if he keeps his
word. Mr. Rogers has kindly undertaken to stay and look after the
schooner. He has a sense of discipline, by the way, has Mr. Rogers."

"If you wish me, sir, to stay with him-"

"Thank you," he interrupted dryly, "but we shall need you ashore; in
the first place to indentify this mysterious stranger, and also to
help protect the ladies. Their escort, Heaven knows, is not
excessive. We take the gig, and if the man fails to appear, or
brings even so much as one companion, I give the word to return."

But these apprehensions proved to be groundless. As we rowed around
the bend next morning into view of the creek-head the man stood there
alone, awaiting us. He saw us at once, and lifted his hat in
welcome.

"Do you know him, Harry?" asked Miss Belcher.

"No," said I, pretty confidently, and then--"But, yes--in the garden,
that evening--the day you went up to Plymouth for the sale!"

"Eh? The garden at Minden Cottage? What on earth was he doing
there?"

"Nothing, ma'am--at least, I don't know. He seemed to be taking
measurements, and he gave me a guinea. I rather think, ma'am, he was
the man that attended the auction."

"You never saw him until that evening?"

"No."

"Nor afterwards?"

"Only that once, ma'am."

"Oh!" said Miss Belcher.

CHAPTER XXIX.

A BOAT ON THE BEACH.

As we drew to shore the stranger stepped down the beach and lifted
his hat again.

"Welcome, ladies; and let me thank you and all your party for this
confidence. The boy here--bless my soul, how he has grown in these
few months!--the boy and I have had the pleasure of meeting before.
Eh, Harry Brooks? You remember me? To the Captain I must introduce
myself. Shake hands, Captain Branscome. I am proud to make your
acquaintance. . . . But what is the meaning of these baskets?
You have brought your own provisions? Come, Miss Belcher, that is
unkind of you, when we agreed--yes, surely we agreed?--that you were
to be my guests."

"We were not sure, sir--" began Miss Belcher.

"That I should keep my word? Worse and worse! Or possibly you
distrus