It appeared to Miss Abbey and her two companions that a considerable time had been thus occupied. There was now as eager a set towards the shore beneath the house as there had been from it; and it was only on the first boat of the rush coming in that it was known what had occurred.

“If that’s Tom Tootle,” Miss Abbey made proclamation, in her most commanding tones, “let him instantly come underneath here.”

The submissive Tom complied, attended by a crowd.

“What is it, Tootle?” demanded Miss Abbey.

“It’s a foreign steamer, miss, run down a wherry.”

“How many in the wherry?”

“One man, Miss Abbey.”

“Found?”