These opportunities tempted River Andrew to go beyond his
instructions so far as to hint that he could, if encouraged, make
disclosures of interest respecting Frenchman. Which was untrue; for
River Andrew knew no more than the rest of Farlingford of a man who,
having been literally cast up by the sea at their gates, had lived
his life within those gates, had married a Farlingford woman, and
had at last gone the way of all Farlingford without telling any who
or what he was.

From sundry open cottage doors and well-laden tea-tables glances of
inquiry were directed toward the strangers' faces as they walked
down the street after having viewed the church. Some prescient
females went so far as to state that they could see quite distinctly
in the elder gentleman's demeanour a sense of comfort and
consolation at the knowledge thus tactfully conveyed to him that he
was not the first of his kind to be seen in Farlingford.

Hard upon the heels of the visitors followed River Andrew, wearing
his sou'wester now and carrying the news that "The Last Hope" was
coming up on the top of the tide.

Farlingford lies four miles from the mouth of the river, and no ship
can well arrive unexpected at the quay; for the whole village may
see her tacking up under shortened sail, heading all ways, sometimes
close-hauled, and now running free as she follows the zigzags of the
river.

Thus, from the open door, the villagers calculated the chances of
being able to finish the evening meal at leisure and still be down
at the quay in time to see Seth Clubbe bring his ship alongside.