the bag he's to give to you, an' you're to bring it along quick--
_with_ the key. Mind, you're not to go with him on any account; an'
if you should run against this Glass on your way, give him a wide
berth--go straight home to Stimcoe's--do _anything_ but lay him on to
my trail by comin' back to tell me. Understand? There, now, hark to
the town clock chimin' below there! Six o'clock it is--four bells.
If you're not back agen by seven I shall know what's happened an'
take steps accordin'. An' _you'll_ know that I'm on my way to your
father by another tack. 'What tack?' says you. 'Never you mind,'
says I. If the worst comes to the worst, old Dan Coffin has a shot
left in his locker."

I took the key and ran. The alley where Captain Branscome lodged lay
a gunshot on this side of the Market Strand; and while I ran I kept--
as the saying is--my eyes skinned for a sight of the enemy.
The coast, however, was clear.

But at Captain Branscome's door a wholly unexpected disappointment
awaited me. It was locked, and I had not hammered on its shining
brass knocker before a neighbouring housewife put forth her head from
a window in the gathering dusk, and informed me that the captain was
not at home. He had gone out early in the afternoon, and left his
doorkey with her, saying that he was off on a visit, and would not
return before to-morrow afternoon at earliest. For a moment I was
tempted to disobey Captain Danny's injunctions, and fetch the money
myself, or at least make a bold attempt for it; but, recollecting how
earnestly he had charged me, and how cheerfully at the last he had
assured me that he had still a shot in his locker, I turned and
mounted the hill again, albeit dejectedly.