im, when he gave him the
money paid for the Juno. Laud did not say that this was the time and
place he had met the captain, but Donald was entirely satisfied on this
point.

"From Saturday Cove I ran on the other tack over to Gilky's Harbor,"
added Laud.

"Did you see anybody near the cove?"

"I didn't say whether I did or not," replied Laud, after some
hesitation, which confirmed Donald's belief that he had met the captain
on this occasion. "Never mind that. Off Gilky's Harbor I hailed Tom
Reed, who had been a-fishing. It seems that Tom told Hasbrook he saw me
that forenoon, and Hasbrook has been to see me half a dozen times about
it. I don't know whether he thinks I am the fellow that thrashed him, or
not. He has pumped me dry about it. I happened to let on that I saw you,
and Hasbrook wants to talk with you."

By this time they reached Mr. Rodman's house, and to the surprise of
Donald, Laud Cavendish coolly walked into the grounds with him.

CHAPTER XI.

THE WHITE CROSS OF DENMARK.

Laud Cavendish was at Donald's side when they entered the grounds of Mr.
Rodman, where the tables were spread under the trees in the garden. As
the collation was in honor of the launch of the Maud, of course the
young boat-builder was a person of no little consequence, and being with
him, Laud was permitted to enter the grounds unchallenged; but they soon
separated.

Donald was disturbed by what Laud had told him, and he did not wish to
answer any questions which might be put to him by Hasbrook, who was
evidently working his own case, trying to ascertain who had committed
the outrage upon him. He did not wish to tell whom he had seen on that
Saturday forenoon, and thus violate the confidence of Captain
Shivernock. But he was entirely satisfied that the captain had nothing
to do with it, for he had not left his house until after the deed was
done, according to the testimony of Sykes and his wife, whom he had
separately interviewed. To decline to answer Hasbrook's questions, on
the other hand, was to excite suspicion. He could not tell any lies
about the case. If he could, it would have been easily managed; as it
was, the situation was very awkward. But he had not time to think much
of the matter, for one and another began to congratulate him upon the
success of the launch, the fine proportions and the workmanship of the
Maud. The praise of Captain Patterdale was particularly agreeable to
him; but the best news he heard w