CHAPTER XXIV. CONCLUSION.
The merchant was the first to recover his self-possession.
"I have not the pleasure of knowing you, sir," he said to Major Woodley.
"My name is Woodley," said the latter. "I was a friend of this boy's father," and he laid his hand on the shoulder of Robert.
"May I ask how you fell in with him? I confess I am puzzled at his unexpected appearance, having just received intelligence from this person (indicating Cromwell) that he had disappeared."
"May I ask, as his father's friend, why you should have committed Robert to the care of a man, who is, to say the least, wholly unfitted by education or experience, to have the charge of him?"
"I do not choose to be called to account," said Mr. Morton, haughtily. "His father made me his guardian, and confided in my judgment."
"Then, sir, you should have shown yourself worthy of the confidence he reposed in you," said Major Woodley.
"Sir, you assume an extraordinary tone," said Paul Morton, angrily.