The speaker stopped short, and Pen took a step towards him.
“What were you going to say?” said the officer.
“Let me try first, sir,” said the lad, with his pale face, worn by what he had gone through of late, flushing up with excitement.
“That will do,” said the officer, “only be ready for your duty at any moment.—Well, what do you wish to say?”
Pen stretched out his hand and laid it upon Punch’s shoulder, for the boy had been moving his lips almost continuously during the latter part of the conversation, and in addition making hideous grimaces as if he were in pain.
“Only this, sir,” said Pen; “my companion here went through all that I did. He was keenly observant, and would be of great assistance to me if at any turn I were in doubt.”
“Then you would like to have him with you?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And you feel that you could trust him?”
“Oh yes, sir,” replied Pen. And the boys’ eyes met—their hands too, for Punch with his lips still pressed together took a step forward and caught Pen by the hand and wrist.