It was only yesterday that a steamer I believe to be intended for a man-of-war for the Confederacy came into the port of St.George's, and I have been much occupied with her affairs, which is probably the reason for this attempt to assault me." "Ze _man_-of-war," repeated the Frenchman.

"Ze war, _c'est la guerre_; _mais_ wat was ze man ?" "She is a vessel used for war purposes." "_She!_ She is a woman; and I think that steamer was a woman-of-war." The consul laughed heartily, but insisted upon the feminine designation of the steamer.
"What you call ze name of ze man-of-war ?" asked M.Rubempre, putting on a very puzzled expression of countenance.
"The Dornoch," replied Mr.Alwayn.
"The D'Ornoch," added the detective.

"How you write him--like zis ?" and he wrote it on a piece of paper by his own method.
"Not exactly," replied the consul, writing it as given in English.
"How long ze Dornoch will she stop in zat port ?" asked the Frenchman, in a very indifferent tone, as though the answer was not of the least consequence to him.
"Not long; I heard it stated in St.George's that she would get her supplies and cargo on board to-day and to-morrow, and will sail before dark to-morrow night," replied Mr.Alwayn.

"The government here ought not to allow her to remain even as long as that, for she is plainly intended for a Confederate cruiser, and my men inform me that she has six great guns, and fifty men." M.Rubempre obtained all the information the consul was able to give him, and much of it was of great importance.

The official was under obligations to the two strangers, and he seemed not to suspect that either of them was an American, much less a naval officer.