THE FATE OF MORDAUNT. BY ALEXANDRE DUMAS, PERE. (From "Twenty Years After.") [For biographical sketch, see Vol. XIII., page 296.] THE SKIFF "LIGHTNING." MORDAUNT glided through the subterranean passage, and gaining the neighboring house, stopped to take breath. "Good," said he, "a mere nothing. Scratches, that is all. Now to my work." He walked on at a quick pace, till he reached a neighboring cavalry barrack, where he happened to be known. Here he borrowed a horse, the best in the stables, and in a quarter of an hour was at Greenwich. "I am ""Tis well," said he, as he reached the river bank. half an hour before them. Now," he added, rising in the stirrups, and looking about him, "which, I wonder, is the ' Lightning'?" At this moment, as if in reply to his words, a man lying on a coil of cables rose and advanced a few steps toward him. Mordaunt drew a handkerchief from his pocket, and tying a knot at each corner- the signal agreed upon-waved it in the air, and the man came up to him. He was wrapped in a large rough cape, which concealed his form and partly his face. "Do you wish to go on the water, sir?" said the sailor. "Yes, just so. Along the Isle of Dogs.' 99 "And perhaps you have preference for one boat more than another. You would like one that sails as rapidly "As lightning," interrupted Mordaunt. "Then mine is the boat you are after, sir. man." I'm your "I begin to think so, particularly if you have not forgotter a certain signal." "Here it is, sir," and the sailor took from his coat a handkerchief, tied at each corner. 66 Good, quite right!" cried Mordaunt, springing off his |