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With the landing of the two schooners from the fleet the

women-folk were soon apprised of Nat's action, and, had it not

been for Elsa's sensational disclosures in the little jail that

made him the sudden occupant of a cell, there is no question but

what the women of Marblehead would have been equaled by the women

of Freekirk Head; and Skipper Ireson would not have ridden down

history alone in tarry glory.

But now, since Code was free, the whole town exulted, and there

was a steady procession to the jail to look in upon the first

real criminal the village had mustered in years.

Code, after checking the scale-tally all morning as his stalwart

men swung the baskets of salted fish out of the hold, went along

the road to Squire Hardy's house after dinner and interviewed

that worthy man.

"You've got him where you want him," said the squire, "but you

can't get much except damages."