I pray you tell me where is Master Block ?' Master Ratsey looked as if he had seen a ghost, and was struck dumb at first: but then ran up and shook me by the hand so warmly that I fell back again on my pillow, while he poured out questions in a flood.

How had I fared, where had I been, whence had I come?
until I stopped him, saying: 'Softly, kind friend, and I will answer; only tell me first, where is Master Elzevir ?' 'Nay, that I cannot say,' he answered, 'for never a soul has set eyes on Elzevir since that summer morning we put thee and him ashore at Newport.' 'Oh, fool me not!' I cried out, chafing at his excuses; 'I am not wandering now.

'Twas Elzevir that saved me in the surf last night.

'Twas he that landed with me.' There was a look of sad amaze that came on Ratsey's face when I said that; a look that woke in me an awful surmise.

'What!' cried he, 'was that Master Elzevir that dragged thee through the surf ?' 'Ay, 'twas he landed with me, 'twas he landed with me,' I said; trying, as it were, to make true by repeating that which I feared was not the truth.