.

THE AUBERGE DU SOLEIL.
In a room of the first floor of the Auberge du Soleil, at Calais, the host inquired of Crispin if he were milord Galliard.

At that question Crispin caught his breath in apprehension, and felt himself turn pale.
What it portended, he guessed; and it stifled the hope that had been rising in him since his arrival, and because he had not found his son awaiting him either on the jetty or at the inn.

He dared ask no questions, fearing that the reply would quench that hope, which rose despite himself, and begotten of a desire of which he was hardly conscious.
He sighed before replying, and passing his brown, nervous hand across his brow, he found it moist.
"My name, M.l'hote, is Crispin Galliard.

What news have you for me ?" "A gentleman--a countryman of milord's--has been here these three days awaiting him." For a little while Crispin sat quite still, stripped of his last rag of hope.