irresolutely at the far corner of the jetty. He always approached
his flock with diffidence, although they treated him kindly enough,
much as they treated such of their own children as were handicapped
in the race of life by some malformation or mental incapacity.

Colville approached him and they stood side by side until "The Last
Hope" was safely moored and chocked. Then it was that the rector
introduced the two strangers to Captain Clubbe. It being a
Wednesday, Clubbe must have known all that there was to know, and
more, of Monsieur de Gemosac and Dormer Colville; for Mrs. Clacy, it
will be remembered, obliged Mrs. Clubbe on Tuesdays. Nothing,
however, in the mask-like face, large and square, of the ship-
captain indicated that he knew aught of his new acquaintances, or
desired to know more. And when Colville frankly explained their
presence in Farlingford, Captain Clubbe nodded gravely and that was
all.

"We can wait, however, until a more suitable opportunity presents
itself," Colville hastened to add. "You are busy, as even a
landsman can perceive, and cannot be expected to think of anything
but your vessel until the tide leaves her high and dry."

He turned and explained the situation to the Marquis, who shrugged
his shoulders impatiently as if at the delay. For he was a
southerner, and was, perhaps, ignorant of the fact that in dealing
with any born on the shores of the German Ocean nothing is gained
and, more often than not, all is lost by haste.

"You hear," Colville added, turning to the Captain, and speaking in
a curter manner; for so strongly was he moved by that human kindness