The man bowed, and left the room.
Presently, Mrs. Dodson entered.
"Oh, good-morning, captain," she said, holding out her hand. "Neither Mr. Dodson nor my son is at home. Mr. Dodson has gone to London, with Mr. Lennox, and Leicester I have not seen yet."
"Oh, it is of no consequence," said the captain. "I stepped up to tell them of an accident which has occurred in the village."
"An accident? I am sorry for that! What is it?"
"A man fell over the cliff," said the captain.
"One of the fishermen?" asked Mrs. Dodson.
"No," said the captain, rising, and he told her who it was.
She looked very much shocked, but certainly displayed no extraordinary feminine alarm; and the captain, being convinced that neither Mr. Dodson nor Leicester was at home, took his leave.