URING his trip from Washington back to Old Point, the Admiral promised himself several times that he never again would endeavor to complete a letter begun by any other person. He also resolved that, on reaching the hotel, he would make a full and frank explanation to Mrs. Highwood, and would offer to make reparation, so far as was in his power, by as an ally in the lady's campaign to effect the capture of Kate and Jermyn by each other. He had done some match-making in his time, so he felt in assuring Trif that there were ways in which he might be useful.  
The matter was arranged to his entire satisfaction, in his own mind, before he fell asleep, but somehow plans made at night, even by persons of much experience and shrewdness, do not always stand the test of daylight. He had been at the hotel two or three hours when he came face to face with Trif; the lady passed him with half-averted face and the slightest possible of the head. The Admiral felt indignant, and not a little angry. Could it be possible that matters had gone from bad to worse during his absence? There was no pluckier man in the [Pg 113]service than Rear-Admiral Allison, , but for a moment or two the old gentleman was to leave Old Point at once.
 
Soon, however, he his courage and did some cautious reconnoitering. He made the tour of the office, , , and beach, and his search was finally rewarded by a glimpse of Kate and her brother, strolling to and fro on the . Had any harm, any , come of that letter, Kate would probably be more angry than any one else, and the first person to whom he should explain, so with a sinking feeling, such as he had not experienced since the time he first went into action, he strode down the pier. Miss Trewman was not above the average height of women, but she looked very tall and imperious as the Admiral marched forward to his fate, whatever it might be. Suddenly Kate saw him and seemed surprised; then she stepped quickly toward him. The old gentleman felt himself turning pale, but Kate gave him a smile which made him as happy, he told her, as if he were again a young man, and she his sweetheart.
 
"Oh, Admiral!" exclaimed Kate, "how glad I am to see you back! Everything here has been stupid since you went away. Has anything gone wrong with—with any one?"
 
"Not with you, I'm sure, if looks are any indication. How is Mrs. Highwood and her sister, and Trixy?"
 
"Trif appears to be ill, although she says nothing is the matter with her. Fenie is worrying about Trif, and poor little Trixy seems in trouble about something."
 
 
"H'm," said the Admiral, looking grave.
 
"Something is the matter," exclaimed Kate. "I see it in your face. Do tell me what it is. The Highwoods are old friends of ours, and if I could know of anything that should be done for any of them I would be very grateful."
 
"Really, I know of nothing. Jermyn——"
 
Kate's face colored, and the Admiral's keen eyes twinkled as their owner continued:
 
"Jermyn and I ran up to Washington a night or two ago on business, so I've heard of nothing that has occurred here since then. Jermyn wasn't able to return with me, but he won't remain long away; indeed, I know he has the best of reasons for wishing himself back again."
 
Again Kate blushed, which was exactly what the Admiral hoped would be the result of his speech. Still, the girl seemed suspicious about something, so the old gentleman began to talk of something else with his customary ability. While he was talking, a waiter from the hotel approached and handed him a telegram.
 
" excuse me a moment?" said the Admiral, adjusting his glasses and opening the envelope. Then he glanced at the dispatch and exclaimed:
 
"Good!"
 
"May we congratulate you upon something?—the thanks of Congress, or a new war?"
 
"Better still. The business upon which Jermyn and I went North has been satisfactorily concluded. Will you kindly excuse me a few moments, until I can write a letter? I will do myself the honor of rejoining you."
 
 
"There is probably some secret government business in the hands of the Admiral and the Lieutenant," suggested .
 
"Secret nonsense! It is something which is mixed up in some way with the strange manner of Trif and Fenie, and the Admiral must simply tell what it is."
 
Meanwhile the old gentleman was re-reading the dispatch, which was as follows:
 
"That letter is in proper hands. Jermyn."
 
"Proper hands! Proper hands!" repeated the Admiral to himself. "Evidently that means his own hands. Fine fellow! He deserves the girl, if only for the pains he has taken to keep her name from being used publicly. How I wish I might tell her the whole story! Still, if they continue to like each other, my time will come. I think that I ought now to be able to make my peace with Mrs. Highwood. I need merely to repeat to her Jermyn's own words, and the privilege of age to laugh with her over a matter to her credit."
 
Within five minutes the Admiral had dispatched a note to Trif, who languidly opened it and then suddenly dropped her and called Fenie, to whom she said:
 
"What can the man mean? There can be but one letter that the man refers to—the one which Trixy gave him, and which she got back so strangely, and I sent on to Phil,

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