The thought struck him that they had actually found out all about old Bertram’s murder, and were come to arrest him.
Cold sweat poured from his brow.
His heart felt chilly, and his sight grew dim.
But when Captain Jack, with a broad smile on his ugly face, shook Phillip by the hand, and said, “All serene, old fellow,” Redgill felt great relief, as he said to the company with a forced smile,
“Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce to your notice an eccentric friend of mine, who rejoices in the extraordinary title of Lord Smash. These gentlemen, also his companions, are friends of mine, every one; at least, they have proved themselves such, for I owe my life to their bravery and valour.”
“Indeed!” said all, in surprise. “Men who would risk their own lives for the sake of another must be friends indeed.”
“I quite agree with you there, ladies and gentlemen. I invited them to call upon me at their pleasure, and although they have come at an unlooked-for moment, I am none the less pleased.”
“Certainly not,” chorused many, “certainly not; but how did the affair happen?”
“This, then, accounts for your painful wound, Redgill?” several gallants said.
“Just so,” said Phillip, glad at the happy turn the whole affair had now taken, and particularly pleased that the true character of the intruders had not leaked out.