“Le, dear boy!” cried the squire, seizing the youth’s hands and shaking them cordially. “You here! What a surprise! How glad I am to see you! I thought you were in Europe. When did you return? How are my aunt and cousins? And how is Odalite? And——” “Softly, Le. Softly, dear lad. One thing at a time. We have just arrived from Europe, and we are all well. And here is a friend of yours whom you are forgetting,” said the squire, taking the young man’s arm and leading him back to where the earl stood. “Lord Enderby! How glad I am to see you! This is another joyful surprise. You are looking so well, too. Quite recovered your health, I hope,” said Le, cordially shaking the hand the earl had given him. “Quite recovered, thank you,” replied the latter. “Where are you stopping, Uncle Abel?” “We are stopping at the old place where we boarded six years ago, when we first came to Washington. And we have been following you about for the last twenty-four hours,” replied Mr. Force. “And to think I have passed that hotel at least a dozen times within a day without knowing that you were there! What a surprise! And you say Odalite is quite well?” “Odalite and all are quite well.” “I am so glad to hear that! And to know that they are all so near! When can I see them?” “As soon as you please. It will depend on yourself. They have been waiting for twenty-four hours most anxiously to see you.” “What a surprise! I cannot get over the surprise. There is the boat, Uncle Abel. Will you and Lord Enderby return with me on board the ship, and spend a few hours with me in the cabin, where we can talk” Le inquired, as the boat touched the wharf and the rowers laid on their oars. “We came down here for that very purpose,” replied the squire. “Come, then.” The three gentlemen walked down to the water’s edge and entered the boat. The sailors pushed off, turned and headed for the _Argente_. It was a pretty view. The sun had just set, and the western sky was aflame with the crimson afterglow which was reflected in the water. The full moon was rising like a vast globe of gold above the gray eastern horizon. In the distance before them was the green and wooded shore of Maryland. Midway of the river lay the _Argente_ at anchor, reflected clearly and duplicated distinctly in the water below. They soon reached the ship and stood upon the deck. A young midshipman saluted his superior officer. Le introduced him as Midshipman Franklin, exchanged a few words with him, and then took his friends down into his own cabin. This was quite a luxuriously furnished place for the cabin of a man-of-war, as the pirate ship seemed in a small way to be. An Axminster carpet was on the floor, and blue satin damask curtains before the berths; blue satin damask coverings on the chairs and sofas. A marble-topped round table stood in the center. A marble-topped sideboard, with silver stands for decanters and glasses, stood at the end opposite the companion way.