Part 37 (1/2)

”You seem to know all about it, Ness,” said Aleck, suspiciously

”Me, Master Aleck? Well, you see, being such near neighbours like I can't help hearing a deal But it's bad work s hoht, sir Best place, too, of a night But how did you know the press-gang was co”

”But you were theer?” said the old gardener, suspiciously

”I was there?” said Aleck, ”because the noise woke ardener ”I see”

The next ed, and Aleck soon after climbed up to his bedroohts with press-gangs and se confusion, frolad to awaken and find that he had hardly tiet dressed before his uncle would be down

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Captain Lawrence listened with knitted brows to his nephew's narration of all that had taken place in the night, and shook his head

”It's miserable work, my boy,” he said; ”so piteous for the poor woood will co up of a notorious s his third cup of coffee, which he set down sharply in the saucer, startled by the sudden rush of the gardener to the open , through which he thrust his head without cerean, excitedly ”Oh!”

For a big heavy hand appeared upon his shoulder, clutching hi of this, boy?” cried the captain

Aleck's head was already out of the , and he drew it back again to answer:

”A lot of sailors, uncle, and their officer”

The lad's words were followed by the appearance of Jane, whose eyes ide open and staring, hersuit to so:

”Plee, sir, orficer, sir To see you, sir”

The captain nodded shortly and rose to go, followed by Aleck, out into the little ball, at whose door a naval officer and a boat's crew of ,” said the officer, shortly; and then turning upon Aleck, ”Hallo, young man, I've seen you before!”

”Yes, in Rockabie harbour,” said the lad, looking at hilanced at the party of sturdy sailors

”Ah, to be sure,” said the officer; then to the captain again, ”You are aware, I suppose, that we lers here”

”I have just learned, sir, what took place,” said the captain, coldly

”Of course Well, sir, in the struggle and after trouble with the wo officer of the second boat was missed”