Waiting till the wind had dropped for the moment, they reached the rough flight of steps, and on returning to the level found that the crowd had greatly increased; and among them Leslie saw Harry Vine and his companion. "Can't see un, sir, can you?" shouted one of the men. Van Heldre shook his head. "I thought you wouldn't, sir," shouted another. "Capt'n Muskerry's too good a sailor to try and make this port in such a storm." "Ay," shouted another. "She's safe behind the harbour wall at Penzaunce." "I pray she may be," said Van Heldre. "Come up to my place and have some breakfast, Leslie, but not a word, mind, about the slip. I'll tell that my way." "Then I decline to come," said Leslie, and after a hearty grip of the hand they parted. "I thought he meant Vine's girl," said Van Heldre, as he walked along the wharves street, "but there is no accounting for these things." "I ought to explain to him how it was I came to be walking with Miss Van Heldre," said Leslie to himself. "Good morning." He had suddenly found himself face to face with Harry, who walked by, arm in arm with Pradelle, frowning and without a word, when just as they passed a corner the wind came with a tremendous burst, and but for Leslie's hand Harry Vine must have gone over into the harbour. It was but the business of a moment, and Harry seemed to shake off the hand which held him with a tremendous grip and passed on. "Might have said thank you," said Leslie smiling. "I seem to be doing quite a business in saving people this morning, only they are of the wrong sex--there is no heroism. Hallo, Mr Luke Vine. Come down to look at the storm?" "Couldn't I have seen it better up at home?" shouted the old man. "Ugh! what a wind. Thought I was going to be blown off the cliff. I see your chimney still stands, worse luck. Going home?" "No, no. One feels so much unsettled at such a time." "Don't go home then; stop with me." Leslie looked at the quaint old man in rather an amused way, and then stopped with him to watch the tumbling billows off the point where his companion so often fished. CHAPTER SEVENTEEN. THE NEWS. The day wore on with the storm now lulling slightly, now increasing in violence, till it seemed as if the great rolling banks of green water must end by conquering in their attack, and sweeping away first the rough pier, and then the little twin towns on either side of the estuary. Nothing was visible seawards, but in a maritime place the attention of all is centred upon the expected, and in the full belief that sooner or later there would be a wreck, all masculine Hakemouth gathered in sheltered places to be on the watch. Van Heldre and Leslie came into contact again that afternoon, and after a long look seaward, the merchant took the young man's arm. "Come on to my place," he said quietly. "You'll come too, Luke Vine?" "I? No, no," said the old fellow, shaking his head. "I want to stop and watch the sea go down."