"I ought ter hev told yer that in the first place, but I was all took aback and canvas a-shiver when yer tole me yer never wrote it." "Hank Handcraft," repeated Rob.

"He's that queer old fellow that lives in a hut away down the beach ?" "Yes, and a bad character, too," replied the captain.

"He used ter be a smuggler, and done a term in jail fer it." "Well, it's pretty certain that he didn't write this," said Rob.

"He couldn't get hold of a typewriter, even if he could use one.

What did he tell you about it?
Did he say who gave it to, him ?" "No, he just handed it ter me, and says: 'A young party in Hampton says ter give yer this and hurry.' I was just gettin' my supper when I heard his hail of 'Island, ahoy!' I hurried out, and there he was in that old teakettle uv his, at the end uv my wharf." "And he left before you read the note ?" "I should say.