e more necessary for me
to see him. How can you bring it about?"

"Without his seeing you?" Sweetwater asked.

"Yes, yes; certainly without his seeing me. Couldn't you rap him up at
his own door, and hold him in talk a minute, while I looked on from the
carriage or whatever vehicle we can get to carry us there? The least
glimpse of his face would satisfy me. That is, to-night."

"I'll try," said Sweetwater, not very sanguine as to the probable result
of this effort.

Returning to the stables, he ordered the team. With the last ray of the
sun they set out, the reins in Sweetwater's hands.

They headed for the coast-road.

XVIII. THE CLOSED DOOR

The road was once the highway, but the tide having played so many tricks
with its numberless bridges a new one had been built farther up the
cliff, carrying with it the life and business of the small town. Many
old landmarks still remained--shops, warehouses and even a few scattered
dwellings. But most of these were deserted, and those that were still in
use showed such neglect that it was very evident the whole region
would soon be given up to the encroaching sea and such interests as are
inseparable from it.

The hour was that mysterious one of late twilight, when outlines lose
their distinctness and sea and shore melt into one mass of uniform gray.
There was no wind and the waves came in with a soft plash, but so near
to the level of the road that it was evident, even to these strangers,
that the tide was at its height and would presently begin to ebb.

Soon they had passed the last forsaken dwelling, and the town proper lay
behind them. Sand and a few rocks were all that lay between them now and
the open stretch of the ocean, which, at this point, approached the land
in a small bay, well-guarded on either side by embracing rocky heads.
This was what made the harbor at C--.

It was very still. They passed one team and only one. Sweetwater looked
very sharply at this team and at its driver, but saw nothing to arouse
suspicion. They were now a half-mile from C--, and, seemingly, in a
perfectly desolate region.

"A manufactory here!" exclaimed Mr. Grey. It was the first word he had
uttered since starting.

"Not far from here," was Sweetwater's equally laconic reply; and, the
road taking a turn almost at the moment of his speaking, he leaned
forward and pointed out a building standing on the right-hand side
of the road, with its feet in the water. "That's it."