and were just turning again when Midwinter
spoke. As Allan opened his lips to answer, he looked out mechanically to
sea. Instead of replying, he suddenly ran to the taffrail, and waved his
hat over his head, with a shout of exultation.

Midwinter joined him, and saw a large six-oared boat pulling straight
for the channel of the Sound. A figure, which they both thought they
recognized, rose eagerly in the stern-sheets and returned the waving
of Allan's hat. The boat came nearer, the steersman called to them
cheerfully, and they recognized the doctor's voice.

"Thank God you're both above water!" said Mr. Hawbury, as they met him
on the deck of the timber-ship. "Of all the winds of heaven, which wind
blew you here?"

He looked at Midwinter as he made the inquiry, but it was Allan who
told him the story of the night, and Allan who asked the doctor for
information in return. The one absorbing interest in Midwinter's
mind--the interest of penetrating the mystery of the dream--kept him
silent throughout. Heedless of all that was said or done about him, he
watched Allan, and followed Allan, like a dog, until the time came for
getting down into the boat. Mr. Hawbury's professional eye rested on him
curiously, noting his varying color, and the incessant restlessness
of his hands. "I wouldn't change nervous systems with that man for the
largest fortune that could be offered me," thought the doctor as he took
the boat's tiller, and gave the oarsmen their order to push off from the
wreck.

Having reserved all explanations on his side until they were on their
way back to Port St. Mary, Mr. Hawbury next addressed himself to the
gratification of Allan's curiosity. The circumstances which had brought
him to the rescue of his two guests of the previous evening were simple
enough. The lost boat had been met with at sea by some fishermen of Port
Erin, on the western side of the island, who at once recognized it as
the doctor's property, and at once sent a messenger to make inquiry,
at the doctor's house. The man's statement of what had happened had
naturally alarmed Mr. Hawbury for the safety of Allan and his friend. He
had immediately secured assistance, and, guided by the boatman's advice,
had made first for the most dangerous place on the coast--the only
place, in that calm weather, in which an accident could have happened to
a boat sailed by experienced men--the channel of the Sound. After
thus accounting for his welcome appearanc