Joel went to the door, opened it and looked out.
The noise grew louder It was certain the clatter of horse's hoofs blended with, the roll of kariol wheels; but the storm without was so violent that Joel was obliged to close the door.
Sylvius Hogg tramped up and down the room in a perfect fever of impatience.

Joel and his sister held each other tightly by the hand.
The kariol could not be more than twenty yards from the house now.
Would it pause or go by?
The hearts of all three throbbed to suffocation.
The kariol stopped.

They heard a voice calling; but it was not the voice of Ole Kamp! Almost immediately some one rapped at the door.
Joel opened it.
A man stood upon the threshold.
"Is Mr.Sylvius Hogg here ?" he asked.
"I am he," replied the professor.

"Who are you, my friend ?" "A messenger sent to you by the Secretary of the Navy at Christiania." "Have you a letter for me ?" "Yes, sir; here it is." And the messenger handed him a large envelope sealed with the Government seal.
Hulda's limbs tottered under her, and her brother sprung forward and placed her in a chair.

Neither of them dared to ask Sylvius Hogg to open the letter.
At last he broke the seal and read the following: "MR.