"But about Frank—what have you heard about him? Tell me instantly, Stewart. Think of my poor mother."
"I don't believe your brother has gone with Tom. He isn't such a muff as to do that."
"You forget the sea fever that we used to tease him about in the holidays."
"Yes, I know we teased him, but nobody could ever think Frank would be fit for sea. Tom didn't, I know."
"But he's taken him—they're gone away together, I'm certain."
"Oh, nonsense, Chandos. Look here, now, you mustn't split on Tom, or say a word to the governor that I know anything about it; but I've talked to Tom lots of times about this, but he never said a word about anybody else going with him. He wanted me to go, of course, but, failing me, he should have to go alone, he said."
"But where can Frank be? Nobody has seen him this morning, and most of his clothes and all his money have gone—I have been to look."
"Well, if I thought—" and then I stopped. "Look here, I can't split on Tom unless I am quite sure that young muff has really gone. Don't tell what I have said, Chandos; but if they are together, Tom is the greatest stupid I ever heard of, for he might be sure I should tell all I knew then, and I will too. Fancy that poor little muff Frank handling tarred ropes—he'd want to put his gloves on first!" and I burst out laughing at the thought of Chandos minor going to sea. Chandos Court would do for him nicely, but on board a ship he would be in misery.
Chandos left me laughing, but soon came back.
"Stewart, you must go to the governor and tell him all you know about this affair. There is no time to be lost, you see, for somebody must go after them. A carriage has been ordered, and Swain is to go with a policeman; but if they find out before starting which road they have probably taken, perhaps it may save hours, perhaps days, of delay."