there was silence.

Then Captain Cephas, who thought some answer should be made
to the question, nodded his head.

"I want to see her as soon as I can," said the stranger. "I have
come to see her on particular business that will be a surprise to
her. I wanted to be here before Christmas began, and that's the
reason I took that cat-boat from Stetford, because I thought I'd
come quicker that way than by land. But the wind fell, as I told
you. If either one of you would be good enough to pilot me to
where Mrs. Trimmer lives, or to any point where I can get a sight
of the place, I'd be obliged."

Captain Eli rose and with hurried but unsteady steps went
into the house (for they had been upon the little piazza), and
beckoned to his friend to follow. The two men stood in the
kitchen and looked at each other. The face of Captain Eli was of
the hue of a clam-shell.

"Go with him, cap'n," he said in a hoarse whisper. "I can't
do it."

"To your house?" inquired the other.

"Of course. Take him to my house. There ain't no other
place where she is. Take him along."

Captain Cephas's countenance wore an air of the deepest
concern, but he thought that the best thing to do was to