"There will be heat enough before the summer is over; we need not
doubt that. But I will tell you of every thing as we go on. I will
endeavor to have the man watched. God bless you! Go to sleep, and try
to get it out of your thoughts."

On the following morning he breakfasted early, and mounted his horse
without saying a word as to the purport of his journey. This was in
accordance with the habit of his life, and would not excite
observation; but there was something in his manner which made both
the ladies feel that he was intent on some special object. When he
intended simply to ride round his fences or to visit the hut of some
distant servant, a few minutes signified nothing. He would stand
under the veranda and talk, and the women would endeavor to keep him
from the saddle. But now there was no loitering, and but little
talking. He said a word to Jacko, who brought the horse for him, and
then started at a gallop toward the wool-shed.

He did not stop a moment at the shed, not even entering it to see
whether the heap of leaves had been displaced during the night, but
went on straight to Medlicot's Mill. He rode the nine miles in an
hour, and at once entered the building in which the canes were
crushed. The first man he met was Nokes, who acted as overseer,
having a gang of Polynesian laborers under him--sleek, swarthy
fellows from the South Sea Islands, with linen trowsers on and
nothing else--who crept silently among the vats and machinery,
shifting the sugar as it was made.

"Well, Nokes," said Harry, "how are you getting on? Is Mr. Medlicot
here?"