This circumstance, and the state of the weather, had drawn a numerous party around the hearth at the Mermaid.  The delay which took place in the arrival of the newspaper seemed unusual; the “spokesman” had cleared his throat, the pipes had long been lit, but still it was not forthcoming.  Mrs. Teague at last announced that it was engaged by the “jintleman in the parlour.”  The patience of the party lasted half an hour longer, when the clamorous calls for news dictated the step of sending a message to the stranger.  It met with an ungracious reception.  At this moment some one came in with the intelligence that a suspicious looking craft was hovering off the coast, and that the lieutenant (whose absence was thus accounted for) was about to put off in his galley to bring her to and overhaul her.

A second and a third message to the parlour having met with the same success as the first, the ire of all began to rise, and after a clamorous discussion it was at last resolved, (it was now broad daylight,) that they should go in a body and storm the enemy’s quarters.  The room was situated at the other end of the house, and thither they proceeded, after a few preliminary difficulties had been arranged as to who should first lead the way.  But if the lieutenant had been astonished at the disappearance of the stranger the preceding night, much greater was the surprise evinced on the present occasion on finding the room again tenantless.  It had evidently only just been vacated; but what created the greatest sensation was the discovery of the smoking remains of the ——­ Journal, on the hood of the fireplace!  Every one crowded around, and presently intelligence was brought that the stranger, carrying his enormous carpet bag had been seen walking at a great speed towards Shorne Cove, a retired little spot within a short distance of the harbour.  As is often the case on such occasions, several minutes elapsed before any plan was determined upon, but some one at last wisely suggested that if he was to be pursued, no time ought to be lost.  The appearance of the strange vessel on the coast, and the day’s occurrence, were connected together, as they hurried onwards in the pursuit; but when they arrived at the seashore, the mysterious man and his carpet bag were no longer visible, unless a large boat which was pulling out to sea as fast as wind and tide would permit, gave a clue to his invisibility.  Every eye was now cast out for the strange sail.

About a mile from the pier-head, a large lugger under a press of canvass was seen coming down the wind, with the galley in close pursuit.  From the freshness of the wind and the quantity of sail she was able to carry, it was evident that the king’s boat had little chance with her.  As the chase came careering along, dropping the galley rapidly astern, the interest hinged on the apparent connexion between her and the boat which had just left Shorne Cove with its unknown freight.  From their relative situations it was