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 Besides, I must return to Mr. Marcy as soon as I can."

"Ah, yes, I see," said Mr. Hilliard, musingly. "Well, we will all get to town this evening early, I hope, and have a sound sleep; but it would be pleasant if you joined other friends on the Old Province."

"Perhaps," answered Gerald; "but you see Philip and I travel by ourselves, so that, if either of us is very seasick, there will be no one to laugh. I couldn't, and he wouldn't."

Philip here recollected an unpaid duty. "I want to thank you, Mr. Hilliard," he began, "for so kindly taking us in to-night."

"O, dear, not a bit of trouble," returned Mr. Hilliard, vivaciously; "but that brings me to explaining a slight dilemma. A fire broke out in our house yesterday. I am a homeless character, for the time being, myself."

"A fire!" exclaimed both the boys.

"Yes, a fire. You've no further use for my note, that I see you have there? Shall I just tear it up, then? I'm like every body else; I love to get hold of a letter I've written and put it out of the way." Glancing at the clean carpet, he dropped the pieces into his pocket.