We should communicate with Captain Desborough, and set the police on the alert." "I wonder," said Sam, "if that mysterious man we saw to-day, watching on the cliff, could have had any connexion with this equally mysterious boat.

Not likely, though.

However, if they are going to land to-night, they had better look sharp, for it is coming on to blow." The great bank of cloud which they had been watching, away to the south-east, was growing and spreading rapidly, sending out little black avant-couriers of scud, which were hurrying fanlike across the heavens, telling the news of the coming storm.

Landward, in the west, the sun was going down in purple and scarlet splendours, but seaward, all looked dark and ominous.
The young folks stood together in the verandah before they went into dinner, listening to the wind which was beginning to scream angrily round the corners of the house.

The rain had not yet gathered strength to fall steadily, but was whisked hither and thither by the blast, in a few uncertain drops.