第95章 IN WHICH THE MINISTER RECEIVES A LETTER(5)

Nat stopped in his stride.Well!he exclaimed.I almost forgot,after all.Keziah sent a note to you.I've got it in my pocket.She gave it to me when she left me at Cohasset.Left you?Why!didn't she come back with you on the night train?No.That's funny,too,and I don't understand it yet.We was together all the afternoon.'I was feelin'so good at seein'her that I took her under my wing and we cruised all over that town together.Got dinner at the tavern and she went with me to buy myself a new hat,and all that.At first she didn't seem to want to,but then,after I'd coaxed a while,she did.She was lookin' pretty sad and worn out,when I first met her,I thought;but she seemed to get over it and we had a fine time.It reminded me of the days when I used to get home from a voyage and we were together.Then,when 'twas time for the night train we went down to the depot.She gave me this note and told me to hand it to you to-day.

'Good-by,Nat,'she says.'We've had a nice day,haven't we?'

'We have,for a fact,'I says.'But what are you sayin'good-by for?'

'Because I'm not goin'to Trumet with you,'says she.'I'm goin' to the city.I've got some business to see to there.Good-by.'

I was set back,with all my canvas flappin'.I told her I'd go to Boston with her and we'd come home to Trumet together to-morrow,that's to-day.But she said no.I must come here and ease your mind and Grace's.I must do it.So at last I agreed to,sayin'

I'd see her in a little while.She went on the up train and I took the down one.Hired a team in Sandwich and another in Bayport and got to the tavern about eleven.That's the yarn.And here's your note.Maybe it tells where she's gone and why.The minister took the note and tore open the envelope.Within was a single sheet of paper.He read a few lines,stopped,and uttered an exclamation.

What's the matter?asked the captain.

Ellery did not answer.He read the note through and then,without a word,handed it to his friend.

The note was as follows:

DEAR JOHN:

I am going away,as I told you I would if he came.He is coming.

Tuesday I got a letter from him.It was written at Kingston,Jamaica,almost three months ago.I can't think why I haven't got it sooner,but suppose it was given to some one to mail and forgotten.In it he said he was tired of going to sea and was coming home to me.I had money,he said,and we could get along.

He had shipped aboard a brig bound for Savannah,and from there he was going to try for a berth on a Boston-bound vessel.So I am going away and not coming back.I could not stand the disgrace and I could not see him.You and Grace won't need me any more now.

Don't worry about me.I can always earn a living while I have my strength.Please don't worry.If he comes tell him I have gone you do not know where.That will be true,for you don't.I hope you will be very happy.I do hope so.Oh,John,you don't know how I hate to do this,but I must.Don't tell Nat.He would do something terrible to him if he came,and Nat knew.Just say Ihave been called away and may be back some time.Perhaps I may.

Love to you all.Good-by.

Yours truly,KEZIAH COFFIN.

The captain stared at the note.Then he threw it to the floor and started for the door.The minister sprang from his chair and called to him.

Nat,he cried.Nat!Stop!where are you going?Hammond turned.

Goin'?he growled.Goin'?I'm goin'to find her,first of all.

Then I'm comin'back to wait for him.

But you won't have to wait.He'll never come.He's dead.Dead?DEAD?By the everlastin'!this has been too much for you,I ought to have known it.I'll send the doctor here right off.Ican't stay myself.I've got to go.But--

Listen!listen to me!Ansel Coffin is dead,I tell you.I know it.I know all about it.That was what I wanted to see you about.

Did Keziah tell you of the San Jose and the sailor who died of smallpox in this very building?In that room there?Yes.John,you--

I'm not raving.It's the truth.That sailor was Ansel Coffin.Iwatched with him and one night,the night before he died,he spoke Keziah's name.He spoke of New Bedford and of Trumet and of her,over and over again.I was sure who he was then,but I called in Ebenezer Capen,who used to know Coffin in New Bedford.And he recognized him.Nat,as sure as you and I are here this minute,Ansel Coffin,Aunt Keziah's husband,is buried in the Trumet cemetery.