. I shall wait for you here."

In a few minutes De Courval was beside the gangway of the corvette. He
called to a sailor on the deck that he wished to see an officer.
Presently a young lieutenant came down the steps. De Courval said in
French, as he handed the officer the packet of papers:

"This is a despatch, Citizen, from Citizen Minister Fauchet, addressed
to the care of your captain. Have the kindness to give it to him and ask
for a receipt."

The lieutenant went on deck and very soon returned.

"The receipt, please," said De Courval.

"Captain Need desires me to say that, although it is unusual to give a
receipt for such papers, he will do so if you will come to the cabin. He
wishes to ask questions about the British cruisers, and may desire to
send a letter to Citizen Minister Fauchet."

"I cannot wait. I am in haste to return," said De Courval.

"_Le diable_, Citizen! He will be furious. We sail at once--at once; you
will not be delayed."

Rene thought otherwise.

"Very well; I can but give your reply. It seems to me strange. You will
hear of it some day, Citizen."

As soon as the officer disappeared, Rene said to his boatman: "Quick!
Get away--get me ashore as soon as you can!"

Pursuit from a man-of-war boat was possible, if one lay ready on the
farther side of the corvette. He had, however, only a ten minutes' row
before he stood beside Mr. Gouverneur on the Battery slip.

"I am a little relieved," said the older man. "Did you get the
acknowledgment of receipt you wanted?"

"No, sir. It was conditioned upon my going aboard to the captain's
cabin."

"Ah, well, I do not suppose that Mr. Randolph will care."

"Probably not." Rene had desired some evidence of his singular mission,
but the immense importance of it as proof of his good faith was not at
the time fully apprehended. The despatch had gone on its way, and he had
done honorably his enemy's errand.

"And now," said the merchant, "let us go to my house and see Mrs.
Gouverneur, and above all have dinner."

Rene had thought that flight might be needed if he carried out his fatal
purpose, and he had therefore put in his saddle-bags enough garments to
replace the muddy dress of a hard ride. He had said that he must leave
at dawn, and having laid aside the cares of the last days, he gave
himself up joyously to the charm of the refined hospitality of his
hosts.

As they turned away, the corvette was setting her sails and the cries of
the