ith a seaman's lurch, and steadied
himself only when he saw Mary. Then he rang an imaginary bell-rope on
his forehead, and "hitched" himself together, as sailors say, looking
for all the world like some great dog that has entered a house where
dogs are forbidden. His first words were somewhat unexpected--

"Oi was priest's boy in Tipperary, bedad," said he, and then he looked
round as if that information should put him on good terms with us.

"Will you sit down, please?" was my request as he stood fingering his
hat, and looking at Mary as though he had seen a vision, "and permit me
to ask what the fact of your serving a priest in Ireland has to do with
your presence here now?"

"That brings us to the point av it, and thanking yer honor, it's meself
that ain't aisy on them land-craft which don't carry me cargo on an
even keel at all, so I'll be standin', with no offence to the Missy,
sure, an' gettin' to the writin' which is fur yer honor's ear alone as
me instruckthshuns goes."

He rang the bell-rope over his right eye again, and gave me a letter,
well written on good paper. I watched him as I read it, and saw that in
a power of eye that was astounding, he had fixed one orb upon Mary and
one upon the ceiling, and that the two objects shared his gaze, while
his body swayed as though he was unaccustomed to balance himself upon a
fair floor. But I read his letter, and write it for you here--

"Captain Black presents his compliments to Mr. Mark Strong, whom he
had the pleasure of receiving last night, and regrets the reception
which was offered to him. Captain Black hopes that it will be his
privilege to receive Mr. Strong on his yacht _La France_, now lying
over against the American vessel _Portland_, in Dieppe harbour, at
11 to-night, and to extend to him hospitality worthy of him and his
host."

Now, that was a curious thing indeed. Not only did it appear that my
pretence of being Hall's partner in trade was completely unmasked by
this man of the Rue Joubert; but he had my name--and, by his tone in
writing, it was clear that he knew my position, and the fact that I was
no trader at all. Whether such knowledge was good for me, I could not
then say; but I made up my mind to act with cunning, and to shield Hall
in so far as was possible.

"Did your master tell you to wait for any answer?" I asked suddenly, as
the seaman brought his right eye from the direction of the ceiling and
fixed it