“Now, what do I want with your arm, Abel Force? Them as has arms and legs of their own, sez I, don’t need to be toted along on other people’s, sez I,” replied the old lady, trotting on before the party.
CHAPTER XLV
WINDING UP
When the party returned to the drawing room they found the earl and the general waiting for them.
The squire greeted his friends, and then introduced the general.
The visitors from the country, who had known the counterfeit to their cost, were now very much pleased to make the acquaintance of the genuine officer.
Presently, taking Anglesea aside, Mr. Force said to him:
“I have had a long interview this morning with my invalid wife. There has been a full explanation between us; but the excitement of such a conversation has exhausted her, and nurse and doctor forbid any more talk to-day, and enjoin absolute repose. To-morrow she will see you. In the meantime, will you be so good, if you have no objection, to go with Capt. Grandiere and myself to one of our military prisons? You need not fear anything unwholesome. The place is a miracle of cleanliness.”
“A veteran of the East Indian army need not fear the sight of a military prison,” laughed the earl. “But what may be the object of our visit?”
Mr. Force then explained the real position of Roland Bayard and of Byrne Stukely, and the deception that had been practiced by the slaver captain on his young prisoner to persuade the latter that he was the son of the former, and to prevent him from giving the evidence that would clear himself and hang his supposed father.
“It is to abuse the young fellow of this false impression, and to prove to him his real parentage, that I wish you to accompany us to the prison, general,” concluded Mr. Force.