I quickly ran the whole length of the departing train, but the grey coat was not in any of the carriages. This train was the one I should have travelled by, its departure being timed for the arrival of the Continental boat; but I now resolved to delay my journey till the next, in order to travel in company with my brother, for George must return by the latter train, otherwise he would be barely in time to meet the wedding-party in the Church at half-past nine. I returned to the porter, who was surveying me with a curiosity, the reason of which soon became evident, and said: "I shall travel by the next train. Take charge of my portmanteau until then." "Right you are, guv'nor! What's he done? Forgery? Murder? He looks quite capable of it." "Done? Who?" I said, astounded at this sudden familiarity. "Why, the military cove!" returned the youth. "It's no go; I can see you're a 'tec with half an eye." I suppose the half-eye that had discovered so much was his right one, for he proceeded to diminish it by screwing it up into a wink expressive of the penetration of its owner. "The gentleman whom you think capable of forgery and murder is my brother, Captain Willard, of the--the never you mind; and if you give me any of your insolence, I'll report you to the authorities," I said, wrathfully. The porter, who had evidently been drinking, was a little taken aback, to judge by his ejaculation of "Oh lor!" and as I walked off with my grandest air, I heard him mutter: "His brother! yes, and like him, too! The one sends me to the devil, and the other threatens to report me to the station-master. Oh, they're brothers, sure enough! By your leave, there!" A multitude of questions came surging over my mind. What was George doing at Dover only a few hours before his wedding? Obviously his purpose was not to meet me, since he had avoided me. Why? Could it be that for some strange reason he was deserting Daphne on her bridal morning?--a thought that caused my pulses to throb quickly. Was it shame, or guilt, that had kept him from facing me? Oh, if I could but find him, and learn the truth from his lips! "On the platform ten minutes ago." Absurd as the idea may seem, I resolved to walk the streets of Dover during the next two hours, on the chance of meeting him.