“‘My poor fellow, you know not what you ask; this is no common case of danger.’
“‘I know it all, my lord; I have heard it all.’
“‘Dawkins, what is to be done here?’ inquired the admiral.
“‘I say, friend,’ inquired Dawkins, laying his hand upon my arm, ‘what is your real name? Are you he who commanded the “Dwarf” privateer in the Isle of France?’
“‘The same.’
“‘Then you are known to Lord Collingwood?’
“‘He knows me well, and can speak to my character.’
“‘What he says of himself is all true, my lord.’
“‘True,’ said I, ‘true! You did not doubt it, did you?’
“‘We,’ said the admiral, ‘must speak together again. Be here to-morrow night at this hour; keep your own counsel of what has passed, and now good-night.’ So saying, the admiral took Dawkins by the arm and returned slowly towards the town, leaving me where I stood, meditating on this singular meeting and its possible consequences.