“Well, you see the yacht belonged to General Peyton, a millionaire merchant of Boston, and he had as guests on board some ladies, the Secretary of the Navy, and Commodore Lucien, of whom I have often read, you know.” “Distinguished company, indeed!” said Mrs. Merrill. “And rich enough to spare a few thousands and not miss ’em,” Peggy ventured, with an eye to the fact that the laborer was worthy of his hire. “I got, or will get, what to me, Peggy, is worth far more than thousands, for the Secretary promises me a cadetship in the navy,” and Mark’s eyes flashed with pride, while his mother kissed him, and murmured “My brave, noble boy! at last! at last the clouds have a silver lining.” The next evening, true to their promise, the guests of the yacht landed and strolled up to the mansion. They gazed about them with interest, and Commodore Lucien remembered having heard something of the tragic history of “Spook Hall,” and told it to those with him. Mark joined them, and this time each one grasped his hand. He was dressed in his best sailor suit, for he wore nothing else at any time, and looked very handsome. The grand parlor of the old mansion had been thrown open, and they were received there by Mrs. Merrill in a dignified manner. But there was that about her face which prevented obtrusive questioning, and after half an hour all arose to go, impressed with the idea that some mystery hung about the Merrills which they were not willing to attempt to fathom. The Secretary renewed his promise to Mark, and the lad volunteered his services to pilot the yacht out to sea, which he did, returning in his surf-skiff, which had been tossing astern. The skipper of the Midshipman dipped his colors to the lad as he sped away, while the crew gave him a send-off in three rousing cheers. CHAPTER XI. THE PROMISE KEPT. It seemed news too good to be true to Mrs. Merrill to feel that her son was going to have the advantages of a naval education. He had enjoyed several years of schooling before they had moved to their coast home, and all else he knew she had taught him. Fortunately for the lonely woman, who possessed a superior education, the library at Cliff Castle was well stocked with books, and from these had Mark been taught by her. There were maps, histories and all that he could wish, while the postmasters to whom he delivered mails were wont to give him each week papers which they had read and finished with, for though late in coming, it was all news to the lad, his mother, and old Peggy. In fact, for the latter’s benefit, Mark had to read even the advertisements in the papers. Some weeks after the departure of the yacht, Mark sailed up to B---- on business he had in view. He had an idea of selling the vessel he had picked up, abandoned at sea, and fitting himself out for the naval school with part, leaving the balance for his mother’s use.