There was a man waiting for him." "What man ?" "His name's Letcher--at least--" "I don't know the name." "He was one of the soldiers on the beach this evening." "The devil!" "But he hadn't come about _that_ business." "About what, then ?" "Well now, sir, I must ask you a question.

They were talking about 'the beauty down at the cottage.' Who would that be ?" "That," said he slowly, "would be Isabel Brooks, for a certainty." "And the cottage ?" "Remember the one we passed on the road ?--the one with a light downstairs?
That's it.

She lives there with her father--an old soldier and three-parts blind.

There's no mischief brewing against _her_, I hope ?" "I don't know sir," I went on breathlessly.

"But if you please, go on answering me.