"Then," said Glenarvan, whose face was pale with anger, "Ayrton has brought us here to rob and assassinate us?"
"Yes," replied the major.
"And, since leaving the Wimerra, his band has followed and watched us, waiting for a favorable opportunity?"
FROM DEPTH TO DEPTH.
"Yes."
"But this wretch is not, then, a sailor of the Britannia? He has stolen his name and contract?"
All eyes were turned towards MacNabb, who must have considered this matter.
"These," replied he, in his calm voice, "are the proofs that can be derived from this obscure state of affairs. In my opinion this man's real name is Ayrton. Ben Joyce is his fighting title. It is certain that he knows Harry Grant, and has been quartermaster on board the Britannia. These facts, proved already by the precise details given by Ayrton, are still further corroborated by the conversation of the convicts that I have related. Let us not, therefore, be led astray by vain conjectures, but only be certain that Ayrton is Ben Joyce, a sailor of the Britannia, now chief of a band of convicts."
The major's explanation was accepted as conclusive.