The ten travelers at once surrounded Tom Austin, and gazed at him in eager curiosity. The letter written at the Snowy River had reached the Duncan.
"Well," continued Glenarvan, "let us have an explanation; for I almost think I am dreaming. You received a letter, Tom?"
"Yes; a letter from your lordship."
"At Melbourne?"
"At Melbourne; just as I had finished the repair of the ship."
"And this letter?"
"It was not written by you; but it was signed by you, my lord."
"Exactly; it was sent by a convict, Ben Joyce."
"No; by the sailor called Ayrton, quartermaster of the Britannia."
"Yes, Ayrton or Ben Joyce; it is the same person. Well, what did the letter say?"