If the outrage at Lincolnville had been committed in "the dead of the night," it was perfectly evident to Donald that Captain Shivernock had had nothing whatever to do with it. This conclusion was a great relief to the mind of the young man; but he had hardly reached it before the captain himself passed through the gate, and fixed a searching gaze upon him, as though he regarded him as an interloper.
CHAPTER VII.
LAYING DOWN THE KEEL.
"What are you doing here, Don John?" demanded Captain Shivernock, as he ascended the steps of the piazza.
"I came to see you, sir," replied Donald, respectfully.
"Well, you see me—don't you?"
"I do, sir."
"Have you been talking to Sykes and his wife?" asked the captain, sternly.
"I have, sir."