ch he could be taken to
task by the law? Jack hoped not, for the sake of that fine young
aviator, Malcolm Spence, who must surely be some relative, and was
deeply interested in his welfare.

The boats moved on in company, so that it was possible to converse back
and forth if any of them so desired.

"I suppose this Mr. Spence must have lived around here quite some
time?" Jack remarked a little later, as the man smiled encouragingly
toward him.

"All his life, suh, all his life. He was born on that spot north of
Beaufort; yes, and his father before him, I reckon. It never has gone
out of the hands of the Spences up to now," came the ready reply.

"Oh! by the way, did this gentleman ever have any family?" asked Jack.

"I should reckon he did that, suh--three fine gals, an' just one son.
The gals they stick by him through it all; but the boy, he left the old
man goin' on two yeahs now. It's nigh about broke his heart, I heah."

"I don't suppose that this son's name could have been Malcolm?"
suggested Jack, pretty sure of his ground now.

"That's just what it was, suh, Malcolm Gregory Spence. They was a time
when we all 'spected he was going to make something out of himself,
because you see the boy was mighty clever; but he quarreled with his
old man and went off. P'raps he's dead by now. The old man thinks so,
leastways; though one of the gals don't seem to believe that way."

Jack could see it all. In some way, Malcolm, estranged from his
family, had managed to learn about their recent financial troubles, and
that they had left the old home, to go, he knew not where.

And Jack, as he pressed his hand over the pocket where he had again
secreted that mysterious missive, only hoped that it would bring joy
and happiness into the home of the Spences. How pleasant it would seem
to be the bearer of good news.

He said nothing more, though having discovered this much he could
easily guess that the errand of the marshal must have some connection
with the breaking of the last tie that would hold the Spence family to
the old home up the Sound. Perhaps the marshal and the lawyer were on
their way to inform the owner that foreclosure proceedings had been
instituted, and to get his signature to documents that were necessary
to the proper carrying out of the sad business.

Pete, having stowed away an incredible amount of stuff, so that he
could hardly draw a full breath, began to manifest more or less
interest in