That was the yarn which Trumet was to hear later on.  It filled columns of the city papers at the time, and those interested may read it, in all its details, in a book written by an eminent author.  The tale of a Cape Cod sea captain, plucky and resourceful and adequate, as Yankee sea captains were expected to be, and were, in those days.

But Trumet did not hear the yarn immediately.  All that it heard and all that it knew was contained in Captain Nat’s brief telegram.  “Arrived to-day.  Will be home Thursday.”  That was all, but it was enough, for in that dispatch was explosive sufficient to blow to atoms the doctor’s plans and Keziah’s, the great scheme which was to bring happiness to John Ellery and Grace Van Horne.

Dr. Parker heard it, while on his way to Mrs. Prince’s, and, neglecting that old lady for the once, he turned his horse and drove as fast as possible to the shanty on the beach.  Fast as he drove, Captain Zebedee Mayo got there ahead of him.  Captain Zeb was hitching his white and ancient steed to the post as the doctor hove in sight.

“By mighty!” the captain exclaimed, with a sigh of relief, “I’m glad enough you’ve come, doctor.  I hated to go in there alone.  You’ve heard, of course.”

“Yes, I’ve heard.”

“Say, ain’t it wonderful!  I’m tickled all up one side and sorry all down t’other.  Nat’s a true-blue feller, and I’m glad enough that he ain’t shark bait; but what about the minister and her?  She’s promised to Nat, you know, and—­”

“I know.  Don’t I know!  I’ve been going over the affair and trying to see a way out ever since I heard of the telegram.  Tut! tut!  I’m like you, mighty glad Hammond is safe, but it would have spared complications if he had stayed wherever he’s been for a few months longer.  We would have married those two in there by that time.”

“Sartin we would.  But he didn’t stay.  Are you goin’ to tell Mr. Ellery?”

“Certainly not.  And I hope he hasn’t been told.  He’s getting well fast now, but he mustn’t be worried, or back he’ll go again.  We must see Mrs. Coffin.  Keziah is our main hold.  That woman has got more sense than all the rest of us put together.”

But it was Grace, not Keziah, who opened the shanty door in answer to their knock.  She was pale and greeted them calmly, but it was evident that her calmness was the result of sheer will power.

“Won’t you come in, doctor?” she asked.  “Good afternoon, Captain Mayo.”

Dr. Parker entered the building, but Captain Zeb remained outside, stammering that he cal’lated he’d better stay where he could keep an eye on his horse.  This was such a transparent excuse that it would have been funny at any other time.  No one smiled now, however.

“Is—­is Mrs. Coffin—­er—­Keziah aboard?” the captain asked.

“No, she isn’t.  She went to the parsonage a few hours ago.  Mr. Ellis brought the mail and there was a letter in it for her.  She said it was important and that she must go home to see about some things.  She’ll be back pretty soon, I suppose.”