“Mrs. Force was taken suddenly ill this morning,” said the old captain, speaking for his friends. “No! now don’t be alarmed! The doctor, who has just left her, says that she is doing well, and will be all right if kept quiet!” he added, to soothe the uneasiness of the visitors. “But what is the matter with her?” inquired Mrs. Hedge. “She had a severe shock, and fell into a swoon. She has been lying prostrate, but quiet, ever since. Now, don’t be alarmed; there is no danger.” “But what sort of a shock?” inquired Miss Grandiere. “Susannah, you were always inquisitor-general. Mrs. Force heard suddenly that a friend of ours, young Roland Bayard, had been taken prisoner under exceptional circumstances.” “What circumstances?” persisted the inquisitor. The old skipper heaved a deep sigh, and as briefly as he could, told the story of Roland’s double capture, first by the _Argente_, that took the _Kitty_, and afterward by the _Eagle_, that took the _Argente_, and he added, without reserve, the circumstances of Capt. Silver’s alleged claim upon Roland, which sealed the lips of the latter. “Roland the pirate’s son! Why, he is no more Silver’s son than he is mine!” exclaimed young Sam. “But, now tell us how it was that you found us so soon?” “Well,” said Sam, “to begin at the beginning: On Monday morning we got your telegram saying that you had all arrived safe, and that Uncle Gideon was along with you, and you would be with us in a few days. Naturally we were all rejoiced and we waited for you. But on Wednesday morning we got the New York papers, telling all about the capture of the _Argente_ by the _Eagle_, and the arrival of the _Argente_ under command of Lieut. Force, and of the prize being ordered to the navy yard here!” “And it did not need one to rise from the dead to reveal the fact that we should all come directly to this city to meet Le!” put in Wynnette. “No, it didn’t!” assented Sam. “And so I offered to come up and see you. And Aunt Dolly and Aunt Sukey said they would come, too. So I harnessed the two strongest draft horses to the old carryall, and we set out yesterday morning. We got as far as Horsehead last night, and put up there for the night. This morning we started early, and reached the city about noon. First, like a fool, I drove my party to your sometime house at the West End. Found it was all turned into public offices. Then we went the rounds of the hotels and now at last we have found you.” “Good boy!” exclaimed Wynnette. “But have you found rooms?” anxiously inquired the old skipper. “No. Our carryall is at the door. We came here to call first, but we also hoped that we would be able to put up here,” said Sam. “Indeed, I hope you may,” said the old skipper; “but the dearest thing in Washington at the present time is space! If I had a room to myself I would offer it to these ladies, but I have only a single bed in a double-bedded room.”