"A man in Lincolnville was taken from his bed in the dead hour of the night, and beaten to a jelly."
"Who was the man?"
"His name was Hasbrook."
"Hasbrook!" exclaimed Donald.
"Do you know him, lad?"
"I know of him; and he has the reputation of being anything but an honest man."
"Then it's not much matter," laughed the ship carpenter.
"But who beat him?" asked Donald.
"No one knows who it was. Hasbrook couldn't make him out; but likely it's some one the rogue has cheated."
"Hasbrook must have seen him," suggested Donald.