"Now," said Frank, turning to his friend, "what is the meaning of all this?"
"You know just as much about it as I do," was the reply.
"But a word from Lord Hastings would have settled all this."
"But he didn't give it, did he?"
"No, he didn't; and that's what seems so strange. It looks to me as though we are in for a peck of trouble."
"Say! you heard what Lord Hastings said about 'selling out.' Do you think he believes us guilty of such a thing?"
"It's hard to tell what a man believes in times like these. Men have been stood up against a wall and shot on less evidence. You remember taking a shot at the other boat, don't you?"
"Yes, but——"
"'Buts' won't help us any, I'm afraid. I can't account for Lord Hastings' actions, but you may be sure he has good reasons for whatever he does. It may even be true that he suspects us."
"By George! I don't believe that," exclaimed Frank.