"
"Now, that is very curious," said Plinny; "for the gentleman told me
he had borrowed Harry's boat without being observed."
"I--I beg your pardon, ma'am!" Captain Branscome stared about him.
"A gentleman, did you say?"
"Yes, and such distinguished manners! He left a message for you--and,
dear me, you should have heard how he praised my coffee!"
CHAPTER XXVIII.
THE MASTER OF THE ISLAND.
But here, as Captain Branscome leaned back and caught feebly at the
main rigging for support, there appeared above the after companion
(like a cognisance above an escutcheon) a bent fore-arm, the hand
grasping a beaver hat. It was presently followed by the head of Miss
Belcher, who nodded cheerfully, blinking a little in the level light
of the sunset.
"Hallo!" said she, addressing Plinny, while she adjusted the hat upon
her brow. "Have you been telling the Captain about our visitor?"
"Miss Plinlimmon, ma'am, has given me a shock, and I won't deny it,"
answered the Captain, recovering himself.
Miss Belcher continued to nod like a china mandarin.
"I don't wonder," she agreed. "For my part, you might have knocked
me down with a feather. The fellow came down the creek, cool as you
please, and pulling a nice easy stroke, in Harry's cockboat.
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