An old goatherd, who had scrambled down near to the place where the captor and prisoner stood, might have been seen to indulge in a contemptuous smile.
We say might, because the fact is that all were so much elated at the capture of Tomaso that the very presence of the old stranger had hitherto remained unnoticed.
Nor did he seem to court attention, but remained behind a bush, in a spot, however, where he could hear all that passed.
"Well, we must take this fellow back to the town, and hand him over to the authorities," said Harvey.
"And then hunt down Master Hunston," remarked old Jack. "I wish we knew where to look for him."
"He took this direction," remarked Pike.
"True."
"And, therefore, it is in this direction that we must look for him."
"Right again," remarked Dick Harvey.
"But as he is associated with some desperate fellows, it would be as well to place this gentleman in the hands of the authorities before we seek him. It is not good to go into action with prisoners on our hands."