“And my honour also, sir,” said Ellen, with a proud look. “Honour to me is dearer than life.”
“Great Patience!” said Blood, in a petulant manner. “Would you not save your father’s life?”
“My father’s life?” said Ellen, suddenly changing colour. “Is he in danger, then?”
“He is. He is now in the power of the Skeleton Crew, and if you are found here five minutes longer you will surely be dragged off a captive by Death-wing, their chief.”
“Whither, then, would you lead me?”
“To Darlington Hall. Sir Richard and his servants are out and armed against this famous band. It is by old Sir Richard’s desire, coupled with your father’s, that I now come here.”
“Then you are known to Sir Richard?”
“Yes, fair one. I am a nephew of his. I have used deception with you up to the present; but the time is now past for all that. I am Sir Richard’s nephew. Come, fly with me to the Hall, ’tis the only place of safety. Remember the dreadful scenes which have been enacted round the coast by this horrible band, and flee on the instant.”
Ellen seemed stupefied by all she heard, and mechanically threw a light wrapper round her shoulders.
In a few moments she left her father’s house, misled and deceived by the oily tongue of as great and fearless a scoundrel as ever lived.