Here--right in
this sole. Now sit down there and pull yer boots off an' I'll fix 'em
up fer ye.

HALE

Good! It's an excellent hiding place. Here you are.

SIMON

Yer a schoolmaster, I take it from the looks o' ye?

HALE

That's what I've been passing for.

SIMON

Now, where's that awl? Oh, here it is. And what name be ye usin'
hereabouts?

HALE

Call me Master Nathan. [_knock_]

SIMON

Oh, someone at the door.

HALE

Had I better hide?

SIMON

No, no! 'tis better that ye sit right over there in the dark corner. Ye
look innocent enough. Come in!

DREW [_coming in_]

Good morning, Simon.

SIMON

Good morrow to ye, Lieutenant Drew! I've got yer boots all finished fer
ye.

DREW

Right! You're hard at work, I see.

SIMON

Always hard at work, Lieutenant. Here are yer boots. I'll wrap them up
fer ye.

DREW [_low_]

Who's that gentleman over there?

SIMON [_low_]

A customer--I'm fixin' his boots.

DREW

Know him?

SIMON

Never set eyes on him before.

DREW

Unless I'm much mistaken, I've seen him before--but I can't place him.

SIMON

Eh? Here's yer boots, Lieutenant. An' come around again when ye have
need of a good shoemaker.

DREW

Thank you. I'm going to speak to him. [_louder_] Good morning, sir.

HALE

Good morning, sir.

DREW

Haven't we met somewhere?

HALE

I think you're mistaken, Mr.--

DREW

Drew--Drew--Lieutenant on His Majesty's gunboat, the _Halifax_. Are you
a stranger hereabouts?

HALE

Yes, sir.

DREW

Do you live on the Island?

HALE

Why--ah--yes, sir.

DREW

Where?

HALE

Ah--er--near--Huntington.

DREW

Ah yes--well, no doubt I've seen you over there. I'm often at
Huntington.

HALE

Yes, sir, no doubt.

DREW [_jovially_]

Perhaps you know that delightfully charming lady who keeps the
tavern--Mrs. Chichester?

HALE

Slightly--only slightly.

DREW

Hm! You should know her--a delightful soul. Well, good day--good day,
Simon.

SIMON

Good day, Lieutenant. [_door closes_]

HALE

Now, where have I met that man?

SIMON

Then ye _have_ met him? He wasn't mistaken?

HALE

I've seen him somewhere--but I can't place him.

SIMON

Well--as long as he can't place you, yer safe, but git out o' this town
as soon as ye can.

HALE

I will.

SIMON

Are ye from Huntington?

HALE

Never there in my life, except late at night when I landed on the
Island.

SIMON

Well, I'll git the bo