Israel slept not a wink that night.  The troubled spirit of Paul paced the chamber till morning; when, copiously bathing himself at the wash-stand, Paul looked care-free and fresh as a daybreak hawk.  After a closeted consultation with Doctor Franklin, he left the place with a light and dandified air, switching his gold-headed cane, and throwing a passing arm round all the pretty chambermaids he encountered, kissing them resoundingly, as if saluting a frigate.  All barbarians are rakes.

CHAPTER XII.

RECROSSING THE CHANNEL, ISRAEL RETURNS TO THE SQUIRE’S ABODE—­HIS ADVENTURES THERE.

On the third day, as Israel was walking to and fro in his room, having removed his courier’s boots, for fear of disturbing the Doctor, a quick sharp rap at the door announced the American envoy.  The man of wisdom entered, with two small wads of paper in one hand, and several crackers and a bit of cheese in the other.  There was such an eloquent air of instantaneous dispatch about him, that Israel involuntarily sprang to his boots, and, with two vigorous jerks, hauled them on, and then seizing his hat, like any bird, stood poised for his flight across the channel.

“Well done, my honest friend,” said the Doctor; “you have the papers in your heel, I suppose.”

“Ah,” exclaimed Israel, perceiving the mild irony; and in an instant his boots were off again; when, without another word, the Doctor took one boot, and Israel the other, and forthwith both parties proceeded to secrete the documents.

“I think I could improve the design,” said the sage, as, notwithstanding his haste, he critically eyed the screwing apparatus of the boot.  “The vacancy should have been in the standing part of the heel, not in the lid.  It should go with a spring, too, for better dispatch.  I’ll draw up a paper on false heels one of these days, and send it to a private reading at the Institute.  But no time for it now.  My honest friend, it is now half past ten o’clock.  At half past eleven the diligence starts from the Place-du-Carrousel for Calais.  Make all haste till you arrive at Brentford.  I have a little provender here for you to eat in the diligence, as you will not have time for a regular meal.  A day-and-night courier should never be without a cracker in his pocket.  You will probably leave Brentford in a day or two after your arrival there.  Be wary, now, my good friend; heed well, that, if you are caught with these papers on British ground, you will involve both yourself and our Brentford friends in fatal calamities.  Kick no man’s box, never mind whose, in the way.  Mind your own box.  You can’t be too cautious, but don’t be too suspicious.  God bless you, my honest friend.  Go!”

And, flinging the door open for his exit, the Doctor saw Israel dart into the entry, vigorously spring down the stairs, and disappear with all celerity across the court into the vaulted way.