"But who will warrant——?"
"Oh, I see what troubles you, my lord. You do not like to trust to me,—to the word of a malefactor! That is right. But what can you do? The situation is thus. You have only to accept or refuse."
"I will trust you, Ayrton," said Glenarvan, simply.
"And you will be right, my lord. Moreover, if I deceive you, you will always have the power to revenge yourself."
"How?"
"By recapturing me on this island, from which I shall not be able to escape."
Ayrton had a reply for everything. He met all difficulties, and produced unanswerable arguments against himself. As was seen, he strove to treat in his business with good faith. It was impossible for a person to surrender with more perfect confidence, and yet he found means to advance still further in this disinterested course.
"My lord and gentlemen," added he, "I desire that you should be convinced that I am honorable. I do not seek to deceive you, but am going to give you a new proof of my sincerity in this affair. I act frankly, because I rely upon your loyalty."
"Go on, Ayrton," replied Glenarvan.
"My lord, I have not yet your promise to agree to my proposition, and still I do not hesitate to tell you that I know little concerning Harry Grant."