lt thou believe that
the people of Lerwick think he may have----"

"Murdered you?"

"Yes, just that."

"I have often thought that the suspicion would be a natural one. Has
he been arrested?"

"No, no; but he is in bad esteem. Some speak not to him. The minister,
though, he stands by him."

"That is enough. If Dr. Balloch thought it necessary, he would say
sufficient to keep Peter Fae out of danger. A little popular
disapproval will do him good. He will understand then how you felt
when wife and friends looked coldly on you, and suspicion whispered
things to injure you that no one dared to say openly. Let Peter suffer
a little. I am not sorry for him."

"Once he liked me, and was kind to me."

"Jan!"

"Yes, my friend."

"We are now going straight to Margate. I am promised office, and shall
probably be a busy public man soon. It is time also that you buckled
down to your work. We have had our holiday and grown strong in
it--every way strong. What next?"

"Thou speak first."

"Well, you see, Jan, men must work if they would be rich, or even
respectable. What work have you thought of?"

"Only of the sea. She is my father and my mother and my inheritance.
Working on land, I am as much out of place as a fish out of water."

"I think you are right. Will you join the Merchant Service, or do you
think better of the Royal Navy? I have a great deal of influence with
the Admiralty Lords, and I have often wished I could be a 'blue
jacket' myself."

"Above all things, I would like the Royal Navy."

"Then you shall be a 'blue jacket;' that is quite settled and well
settled, I am sure. But every moment will take time, and it will
probably be winter before I can get you a post on any squadron likely
to see active service. During the interval I will leave 'The Lapwing'
in your care, and you must employ the time in studying the technical
part of your profession. I know an old captain in Margate who will
teach you all he knows, and that is all that any of them know."

Jan was very grateful. The prospect was a pleasant one and the actual
experience of it more than fulfilled all his expectations. "The
Lapwing" was his home and his study. For he soon discovered how
ignorant he was. Instruction in naval warfare was not all he needed.
Very soon the old captain was supplemented by the schoolmaster. The
days were too short for all Jan wished to learn. He grudged the hours
that were spent in sleep. So busy was he that he nev