. I was only thinking--John, would
it be easy for--persons--to come here from the shore, without being
seen? I mean, could a vessel lie off here and not attract attention?"

John Strong looked at her keenly. "That depends, Miss," he said. "By
day, no; by night, yes. It is a quiet part of the shore, you see."

"Do you know when Mr. Montfort is coming home?" was Margaret's next
question; and as she put it she looked straight into the gardener's
brown eyes, and they looked straight into hers. She fancied that John
Strong changed colour a little.

"I have not heard from him lately," he said quietly. "I think he will be
here very soon now. Could I--may I ask if anything is distressing you,
my--Miss Margaret?"

Margaret hesitated. The temptation was strong upon her to tell the whole
tale to this man, whom she felt she could trust entirely; but the
thought of Rita held her back. She would say what was necessary, and no
more.

"I--I think--" she began timidly, "it might be well for you to be
watchful at night, John. The Cubans--I have heard rumours--there might
be vessels,--do you think, possibly--"

She broke off. The whole thing seemed like a nursery nightmare,
impossible to put into plain English without exposing its absurdity. But
John Strong glanced at her again, and his eyes were grave.

"Miss Rita is deeply interested in the Cuban war, I believe," he said,
with meaning.

Margaret started. "How did you know?" she asked. "Surely she has not--"

John Strong laughed. "Hardly," he said. "Miss Rita does not converse
with menials. It was Peggy--Miss Peggy, I should say--who told me about
it. She was quite inclined to take fire herself, but I think I cooled
her down a bit. These are dangerous matters for young ladies to meddle
with. I think she told me that young Mr. Carlos Montfort was now in New
York?"

"I--I believe so," said Margaret. She was angry with Peggy for talking
so freely, yet it was a great help to her now, for John Strong evidently
understood more of the matter than she would have liked to tell him.

"You may trust me, Miss Margaret, I think," he said presently, after a
few moments of silent snipping. "It is not necessary for me to know
anything in particular, even if there is anything to know. I am an old
soldier, and used to keeping watch, and sleeping with one eye open. You
may trust me. You have said nothing of this to Mrs. Cheriton?" He looked
up quickly.

"No; I thought she ought not to be dis