there was mischief brewing.




CHAPTER L.

NEW LIGHTS.


A few days later 'Jos. Larkin, Esq., The Lodge, Gylingden,' received from
London a printed form, duly filled in, and with the official signature
attached, informing him that enquiry having been instituted in
consequence of his letter, no result had been obtained.

The hiatus in his correspondence caused Mr. Larkin extreme uneasiness. He
had a profound distrust of Captain Lake. In fact, he thought him capable
of everything. And if there should turn out to be anything not quite
straight going on at the post-office of Gylingden--hitherto an
unimpeached institution--he had no doubt whatsoever that that dark and
sinuous spirit was at the bottom of it.

Still it was too prodigious, and too hazardous to be probable; but the
captain had no sort of principle, and a desperately strong head. There
was not, indeed, when they met yesterday, the least change or
consciousness in the captain's manner. That, in another man, would have
indicated something; but Stanley Lake was so deep--such a mask--in him it
meant nothing.

Mr. Larkin's next step was to apply for a commissioner to come down and