No answer came for a few moments. It seemed as though Mr. Weevil were struggling with his feelings. When he at length spoke, his voice was calm again. It had resumed that calm, deliberate tone with which Paul was so familiar.
"I would like to speak to you for a few minutes alone, Israel."
Brockman took the hint, and retreating at the other entrance of the cave, left the two together.
"I wished to speak with you alone, because I have discovered one or two matters which will interest you. You were struck, you may remember, with the name of the boy who saved Tim's life?"
"Yes; what of it?"
"You thought that he might be the son of that Captain Percival who years ago saved your life at the risk of his own. I knew that the boy's father was dead, and on examination of the school-books, I found that he was a naval officer. I was not aware of the circumstances under which he met his death, however. I have since discovered that he was drowned at sea 'whilst trying to save the life of a spy'—pardon me the word, but so the record runs."
"Ach! Is it possible?" came hoarsely from Zuker's lips. "I had my suspicions when I first questioned him."
Paul pressed his ear closer to the side of the curtain. He was anxious not to lose a word of what was spoken, for he knew that he was "the boy" to whom the master was referring; that "Tim" was, of course, Hibbert.
"I have discovered, further, that it was this same boy—Paul Percival—who got through with that letter to Redmead."
"The same? Ach Himmel! I caught but a glimpse of him in the darkness that night."