_Gazette_, he left town, somewhat hurriedly, one night
twelve years ago. Until Monday he has never been back
since. The news of his arrival has not been received
with general expressions of pleasure. Predictions were
freely made about the streets yesterday that if certain
old and respected citizens of Hunston should chance to
meet the author, trouble is sure to arise.
"Why Mr. Stanhope should have elected to come back
to Hunston has not yet been ascertained. Some say that
it is the result of a bet, friends having wagered that he
would not venture to return for a month's stay here.
These declare that he is using the yacht as base of operations
to reconnoiter and determine whether it is safe to
land. Color is lent to this theory by the pains which the
distinguished author is taking to conceal his identity.
The name of the yacht has been carefully erased, and he
is using, it is said, an assumed name.
"The secret of Mr. Stanhope's identity came out too
late last night for the _Gazette_ to obtain an interview.
With him on the yacht is a 'Mr. Maginnis,' representing
himself as a wealthy New Yorker and a 'student of
government.' Both gentlemen, it is said, are claimed as
allies by Hunston's new 'Reform party.'"
Peter broke out the moment Varney laid down the paper, but Varney,
staring absently out of the porthole, did not listen. This, then, was
the meaning of the pale young editor's enigmatical remark last night.
Here was no idle malice. Diabolically resourceful and without shame,
young Mr. Smith had circulated this lie to discredit reform and drive
off its new champion. And this was the way that he, Varney, had kept the
coming of the _Cypriani_ quiet in Hunston!
"And think of the cursed bull luck of it!" cried Peter. "The most the
rascal hoped to do was to ruin my plans for helping Hare by these dirty
hints about both of us--at the best to scare us away from Hunston. He
never dreamed that he was knocking the bottom out of any private plans
of _yours_!"
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