Eli hung his head.
"Tell me is that all?" I gasped. "Tell me all you know—everything."
"Poor Jasper, deear Jasper!" crooned Eli, patting my hands. "Eli loves Jasper."
"But tell me everything, Eli."
"You wa'ant go maazed?"
"No."
"Then I heerd she was dead; but I dunnaw. There, do'ant 'ee give way, Maaster Jasper."
For a few seconds I was stunned, but I called to mind Nick's words, and I was comforted; at any rate, there was hope.
"And the rest, Eli?" I asked. "How did you find out where I was?"