forted by the suggestion.

"Again, if he had stolen this white cross of Denmark, he would not have
been likely to pass it off here in Belfast," continued the captain; "for
he is sharp enough to see that it would be identified as soon as it
appeared. Very likely Mr. Leach told him he intended to pay me some
money, and he surely would not have allowed the bill to come back to
me."

"I know he didn't do it," cried Nellie, with enthusiasm.

"You are too fast again, child. It is possible that he did, however
improbable it may seem now, for rogues often make very silly blunders.
Is Edward in the house?"

"I think so; he was reading the _Age_ when I came in."

"Tell him to go down and ask Don John to come up and see me. We will
have the matter cleared up before we sleep. But, Nellie, don't tell
Edward what I want to see Don John for. Not a word about that to any
one. By keeping my own counsel, I may get at the whole truth; whereas
the thief, if he gets wind of what I am doing, may cover his tracks or
run away."

"I will be very discreet, father," replied Nellie, as she left the
library.

In a few moments she returned.

"He has gone, father; though he is very tired," said she.

"I suppose he is; but I don't want to believe that Don John is a thief
even over one night," replied the captain.

"He asked me what you wanted of Don John; but I didn't tell him."

The father and daughter discussed the painful suspicion until Donald
arrived, and entered the library with Edward. A conversation on
indifferent topics was continued for some time, and the boat-builder
wondered if he had been sent for to talk about the launch of the Maud,
which was now an old story.

"How is the wind, Edward?" asked Captain Patterdale.

"'Sou'-sou'-west, half west," laughed Edward, who understood precisely
what his father meant by his question; and bidding Donald good night, he
left the library, without the formality of saying he would go and see
which way the wind was.

"You know which way the wind is, Nellie; and so you need not leave,"
added the captain, as she rose from her seat to follow the example of
her brother.

"So did Ned, for he told you," she answered.

"And you heard him, and know also."

When Captain Patterdale had private business with a visitor, and he
wished any member of his own family to retire, he always asked which way
the wind was.

"Don John, you had a great success in the launch of the Maud to-day,"
said the n