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 when he ran against Crockston: the worthy American had been watching for him since his departure.

"Well, Captain?"

James Playfair looked steadily at Crockston, and the latter soon understood he had no favourable news to give him.

"Have you seen Beauregard?" he asked,

"Yes" replied James Playfair.

"And have you spoken to him about Mr. Halliburtt?"

"No! it was he who spoke to me about him."

"Well, Captain?"

"Well! I may as well tell you everything, Crockston."

"Everything, Captain."

"General Beauregard has told me that your master will be shot within a week."

At this news any one else but Crockston would have grown furious or given way to bursts of grief, but the American, who feared nothing, only said, with almost a smile on his lips,—

"Pooh! what does it matter?"

"How! what does it matter?" cried James Playfair; "I tell you that Mr. Halliburtt will be shot within a week, and you answer, what does it matter?"

"And I mean it—if in six days he is on board the 'Dolphin,' and if in seven days the 'Dolphin' is on the open sea."