n, and I saw that he did _not_ know.

"Anyway, Caudel," said I, "the wedding ring is on the young lady's
finger. Captain Verrion has noticed it, and I shall feel obliged by
your calling her Mrs. Barclay whenever you have occasion to speak of
her. Give Allett that hint, too, will you?"

I had got into the shelter of the companion whilst I talked, and Grace,
hearing my voice, called to me to tell her why the steamer had stopped,
and if there was anything wrong.

"Come here, my darling," said I. She approached and stood at the foot
of the steps. "We have fallen in with the _Spitfire_, Grace, and here
is Caudel."

She uttered an exclamation of astonishment. He directed his
oyster-like eyes into the comparative gloom, and then catching sight of
her, knuckled his forehead, and exclaimed, "Bless your sweet face! And
I am glad indeed, mum, to meet ye and find you both well and going home
likewise." She came up the steps to give him her hand and I saw the
old sailor's face working as he bent over it.

The steamer made a short job of the _Spitfire_; but a very little
manoeuvring with the propeller was needful; a line connected the two
vessels; the yacht's boat returned with the boy Bobby, leaving three of
the steamer's crew in the dandy; the engine-room bell sounded,
immediately was felt the thrilling of the engines in motion, and
presently the _Mermaid_ was ripping through it once more with the poor
little dismasted _Spitfire_ dead in her wake. I sent for the boy, and
praised him warmly for his manly behaviour in sticking to Caudel.
Captain Verrion then told them both to go below and get some hot tea,
and put on dry clothing belonging to them, that had been brought from
the dandy.

"I'm thinking, sir," said he, when Caudel and the other had left, "that
I can't do better than run you into Mount's Bay. I never was at
Penzance, but I believe there's a bit of a harbour there, and no doubt
a repairing slipway, and I understood that Penzance was your
destination all along."

I assured him that he would be adding immeasurably to his kindness, by
doing as he proposed, "but as to the _Spitfire_," I continued, "I
sha'n't spend a farthing upon her. My intention is to sell her, and
divide what she will fetch amongst those who have preserved her. I
have had more of the _Spitfire_ than I want, Captain Verrion, and
though I am glad to know that she is towing astern, I protest--assuming
the safety of her crew assured--that i