Tayoga, smiling but grave, and looking taller and more majestic than ever, stood before him.
"Aye, I'm back, and right glad I am to be here!" exclaimed Robert, springing to his feet and seizing Tayoga's hand. "Oh, I've been on a long voyage, Tayoga! I've been to the coast of Africa on a slaver, though we caught no slaves, and I was wrecked on the coast of Acadia, and I fought and walked my way back to New York! But it's a long tale, and I'll not tell it till all of you are together. I hope you were not too much alarmed about me, Tayoga."
"I know that Dagaeoga is in the keeping of Manitou. I have seen too many proofs of it to doubt. I was sure that at the right time he would return."
Mr. Hardy came presently and then Willet. They made no display of emotion, but their joy was deep. Then Robert told his story to them all.
"Did you see any name on the wrecked schooner?" asked Mr. Hardy.
"None at all," replied Robert. "If she had borne a name at any time
I'm sure it was painted out."
"Nor did you hear the captain called by name, either?"
"No, sir. It was always just 'captain' when the men addressed him."
"That complicates our problem. There's no doubt in my mind that you were the intended victim of a conspiracy, from which you were saved by the storm. I can send a trusty man down the North Jersey coast to examine the wreck of the schooner, but I doubt whether he could learn anything from it."
He drew Willet aside and the two talked together a while in a low voice, but with great earnestness.