g with interest, as though now seeing it for
the first time.

"Looks to me like a barn," he said at length. "Same time it might be a
church, though I don't reckon it is."

"Isn't it a lobster factory?"

"They might make lobsters in it, but I don't think they does. Mebbe
that young man on the wharf could tell ye. He looks knowing."

Disgusted at this exhibition of stupidity, and muttering something
about a chuckle-headed idiot, the officer motioned for his launch to
move ahead, and, in another minute, it lay alongside the wharf.

"Is this the Pretty Harbour lobster factory?" demanded the officer as
he stepped ashore.

"I believe it was formerly used as a lobster cannery," replied Cabot,
guardedly, "but no business of the kind is being carried on here at
present."

"It is owned by the family of the late William Baldwin, is it not?"

"No, sir."

"Who then does own the property?"

"I do."

"You!" exclaimed the officer. "And pray, sir, who are you?"

"I am an American citizen named Grant, and have recently acquired this
property by purchase."

"Indeed. Then of course you possess papers showing the transfer of
ownership."

"Certainly."

"I should like to look at them."

"They have been sent for record to the county seat, where any one who
chooses may examine them."

"Where shall I find a person by the name of Whiteway Baldwin?"

"I can't tell you, as he has left the place."

"Is any member of his family here?"

"No. All of them went with him."

"Have you the keys of this factory?"

"I have."

"Then I must trouble you to open it, as I wish to look inside."

As the two entered the building, and the officer caught sight of the
machinery used in canning lobsters, he said:

"I am very sorry, Mr. Grant, but I have orders to destroy everything
found in this factory that has been, or may be, used in the canning of
lobsters."

"Those orders apply to the property of Mrs. William Baldwin, do they
not?"

"They do."

"Then, sir, since she no longer owns this building, and I do, together
with all that it contains, I warn you that if you destroy one penny's
worth of my property I shall at once bring suit for damages against
both you and your commanding officer. I can command plenty of money
and a powerful influence at home, both of which shall be brought to
bear on the case. If it goes against you my claim will be pressed by
the American Government at the Court of St. James. Moreover, article