Hilary could not catch the end of what was said, but he suspected what was meant, as he heard Sir Henry utter a sharp exclamation full of anger.
“Leave it till to-morrow, and I think I can bring him to our wishes.”
“That is what you said last time, Sir Henry,” replied the skipper insolently. “Here, Allstone, give me the key and I’ll soon bring the springald to reason.”
There was a clink of metal, a step forward, and Hilary’s heart sank within him, for the discovery of his evasion was a matter of course.
Chapter Twenty Six.
The Way to Escape.
In a moment Hilary mentally saw Sir Henry and the skipper enter his prison, fancied the shout of alarm, and seemed to see himself, cutlass in hand, making a dash for his liberty; but the struggle was not then to be, for, with an angry voice, Sir Henry interposed.
“Martin!” he exclaimed, “let us understand one another once and for all. Your duty, sir, is to obey me, and I’ll be obeyed. As to that boy, I tell you I’ll win him to our side, but it will be at my own good time. Sir, I order you to come away from that door.”