"I am glad to have seen those boys, anyway. We may meet again, some time, Mr. Eager. In the meantime, my grateful thanks for all you have done for them!"
And next morning he took leave of his sons, and galloped off along the sands the way he had come, and the boys stood looking after him with very mixed feelings, and when he was out of sight looked down at the guineas he had left in their hands and thought kindly of him.
[CHAPTER XXV]
REVELATION AND SPECULATION
Charles Eager pondered the matter deeply, and was ready for the boys when they tackled him the next morning.
He knew, as soon as he saw them, that they had been discussing matters during the night and were intent on information.
"Mr. Eager," said Jack, "Will you tell us about our father? Why is he in the French army?"
Eager told them briefly that part of the story.
"And do you consider he did right to go away like that?" was the next question.
"Under the circumstances I should say he did. At all events it was Sir Denzil's wish that he should go, and he could judge better then than we can now."