"Zuker dead!" exclaimed the master, when Paul came to this part of his story. "You are sure of it?"
"As certain as I can be of anything, sir."
Mr. Weevil paced up and down the room with his arms behind him. It was very clear to Paul to observe that he was very much agitated.
"Dead! dead!" he kept repeating; then suddenly stopped, and confronting Paul astonished him by abruptly demanding: "And what do you think of me—eh? What do you think of your master—eh? You think him a precious scoundrel—eh? You think that he ought to be with Zuker in the river—eh?"
CHAPTER XLIX
THE PETITION—WHAT BEFELL IT
The master put the questions—the questions which formed so strong an indictment against himself—with grim solemnity. Paul scarcely knew how to answer him, so was silent.
"Well?" persisted Mr. Weevil.
"I must say that at one time I was suspicious of you, sir. I thought you were in league with traitors against your country—against England."