On thinking over the matter, it then had occurred to Trigger that he had seen someone very like Ebenezer Croft at the place where Lucy was in service, and he had mentioned this to Warner, who was sent down by the palace police inspector to pick up what information he could at Wedwell Park, the results of which were given in Chapter VII., and which led to the discharge of Croft as a matter of expediency; so that, notwithstanding the disparaging remarks of Hawksworth, Warner had obtained something like a clue or two and had turned them to a good account, after he left Wedwell.
On Harry Goodall’s next visit to the Crystal Palace, it was found that little damage had been done to the workroom stores, beyond the theft of a paper on “Flight.” This trifling plunder was doubtless owing to Warner’s watchfulness, who, in his quiet, unpretending manner was always on the alert.
There being nothing, therefore, to prevent the making of a second ascent, the aeronaut was determined to proceed with it forthwith, so that not more than a fortnight elapsed before the balloon was again brought out for inflation; and as the former trial trip had created such general admiration, the manager quite regretted that these aerial exploitings were to be made without public announcement. There was, however, no moving the amateur from his decision. He had so little of the showman in his composition that he did not care for spectators of his skill, though he was ready to study the gratification of those who honoured him with their presence, and this he considered to be a proper return for the advantages afforded him at such an admirable spot for ballooning, as the palace proved to be.
While preparations were being made in the glass-room, a gentleman presented himself, not a “shadow man” or Tower sneak this time, but a welcome guest. He was no other than Captain Link, who had seen his young friend’s balloon when it passed over the Neptune as she was going up the Thames, and who now came to have a chat with Harry, not only on his own account, but as the representative of Mr William Goodall, who believed that the straightforward, outspoken seaman would do more to convert his nephew than the Quixotic performances of Mr Falcon, of whom the merchant had formed an unfavourable opinion.
Captain Link suggested that whilst Tom Trigger and a gang of the palace gardeners were making arrangements for the filling, that he and Harry should take a turn round the gardens, and have a cigar together.
“I want to know, Link,” said the delighted aeronaut, “if my uncle saw the balloon as we crossed your mast heads?”
“Of course he did, long before you recognised us, which I suppose you did; but he was depressed about a matter which has been troubling us, and just as the tug’s black smoke rose up to you, I gave him a letter to read which I had in my pocket, and it brightened him up considerably. However, I was requested not to say anything to you about family matters. Your uncle said that I was to be strictly silent on that point, for he felt sure that nothing I could say would stop you from accomplishing whatever you had engaged to do, so for to-day, Harry, we won’t allude to anything but your favourite ballooning, please, and your proposed companions, of whom I am curious to hear something, if you have no objection. I was told before I spoke to you that you were going to ascend this afternoon.”
“Yes; stay and join me, Link.”
“What do you mean, Harry?”
“Well, join me at luncheon and see me off; I shall rely upon your doing that much, at anyrate, and perhaps more, eh?”