It was a small book, and had lead fastened to the covers." "By gracious!" exclaimed Frank, "that was the captain's signal-book." "Yes; she told my daughter that she took it out of the captain's room." Frank did not stop to buy any marketing, but hastily catching up his basket, he hurried back to the vessel.
"Orderly," he exclaimed, as he approached the marine who always stood at the cabin door, "ask the captain if I may see him." "He hasn't got up yet, sir." "That makes no difference.

Tell him that I have something particular to say to him." The orderly went into the cabin, and, in a few moments, returned, and said: "The captain says walk in, sir." "Captain," said Frank, after he had closed the door carefully behind him, "have you lost your signal-book ?" "No, I guess not;" answered the captain, in a tone of surprise.

"What makes you ask ?" "I heard, a few moments ago, that it had been stolen from you." "I have not had occasion to use it for two or three weeks," answered the captain, getting out of bed; "but I know exactly where I put it;" and he opened a drawer in the sideboard, and commenced to overhaul the contents.
"Set me down for a landlubber," he exclaimed, at length, "if it hasn't been stolen.

It isn't here, at any rate." Frank then related the conversation which had taken place between himself and the negro, and the captain continued: "Well, I always thought those folks had some object in view, or they would not have been so friendly.

I can't reproach myself for neglecting my duty, for I watched them pretty closely." "I wonder how that girl knew that the signal-book was in that drawer," said Frank.
"I suppose she must have seen me put it in there," said the captain.