his, nor turn to fly from the spell of them; all she could do was to

step back; and she did so into her father's arms.

"Ho!" cried the Admiral, who had entered with the smile of good cheer

and good company glowing on his fine old countenance; "my Dolly and a

stranger at my private desk! Mr. Carne! I have had a glass or two of

wine, but my eyes must be playing me extraordinary tricks. A gentleman

searching my desk, and apparently threatening my dear daughter! Have the

kindness to explain, before you attempt to leave us."

If the curtain had not been drawn across the window, Carne would have

made his escape, and left the situation to explain itself. But the stuff

was thick, and it got between his legs; and before he could slip

away, the stout old Admiral had him by the collar with a sturdy grasp,

attesting the substance of the passing generation. And a twinkle of

good-humour was in the old eyes still--such a wonder was his Dolly that

he might be doing wrong in laying hands of force upon a visitor of hers.

Things as strange as this had been within his knowledge, and proved to

be of little harm--with forbearance. But his eyes grew stern, as Carne

tried to dash his hand off.

"If you value your life, you will let me go," said the young man to the

old one.

"I will not let you go, sir, till you clear up this. A gentleman must

see that he is bound to do so. If I prove to be wrong, I will apologise.

What! Are you going to fire at me? You would never be such a coward!"

He dropped upon the floor, with a bullet in his brain, and his course of

duty ended. Carne dashed aside the curtain, and was nearly through the

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