“You may run down to the shore if you want to, Manly, and escort the hero up here as soon as he is at liberty to come.” Manly needed no urging to do this. With a cheer that would not have been received without a rebuke under ordinary circumstances, he ran down the pathway, soon disappearing from the view of the watchers. It was half an hour later, a half-hour which seemed very long to the impatient waiters, before Captain Mercer and his young escort were seen coming toward the house. The crowd had dispersed somewhat from the scene at the water’s edge, but the band was still playing as Dean, proud, yet timid in the midst of these honors, was met by Judge Oglesby and his family. “Allow me to congratulate you, Captain Mercer, upon your successful maiden trip. May it be an example of the many which are to follow. I felt confident that we should succeed.” “This is the happiest day of my life,” declared Eva, timidly, as she advanced to offer her congratulations. “I think that all Millville has joined with us in expressing their sincere gratitude over this event.” Dean murmured his thanks for her kind words, as he clasped her hands, and felt that her appreciation had made it the happiest day of _his_ life. Before more could be said, Mrs. Oglesby interrupted them by saying: “There is a call at the telephone from Springfield, Martin.” “Some trifling business matter. Do not let it interfere with the happiness of this occasion while I answer it.” While the judge was gone only a few minutes, when he returned to join the little group his countenance had a serious expression in marked contrast to its recent display of joy. “It seems, Dean, you did not call upon Messrs. Brown, Sewall and Company in regard to paying for the steamer as you were intending to do,” he said. Suddenly a vague fear came into the heart of Dean Mercer, as he hastened to reply: “I did, Judge Oglesby. That is, one of the firm came aboard the _Spray_ and I paid him there.” “I felt sure you would not neglect so important a trust. There has been some oversight in the affair. I will ’phone to them. Who was it called?” “Mr. Sewall himself.” “Then it must be all right. I will explain.” CHAPTER XI. UNDER SUSPICION. An ominous silence fell upon the little group while Judge Oglesby carried on his conversation with the person in Springfield. One and all listened with deep interest to the answer he gave to the words of the unseen, and to them, unheard speaker. “Yes, he is here,” finally said the judge. “I will have him come to the ’phone if you wish.” A moment later he said to Dean: “They would like to talk with you, Dean. I do not understand this at all.” Dean quickly stepped forward, and as he placed the receiver to his ear the voice asked: “Are you sure Captain Mercer paid the money to Mr. Sewall?”