“Every word of it, as sure as there is a heaven above us.”
“Is this true?” he asked again, turning fiercely to his uncle.
He would not answer, but remained sitting doggedly silent. But that silence was answer enough; it convinced Ralph, who cried brokenly:
“If you have deceived me with this awful lie, I will have no mercy upon you. Oh! if it is true—what have I done? May Heaven and you forgive me, sir, for I have bent all my energies toward your own and your son’s ruin, believing that you had done me this great wrong, and desiring to be revenged upon you for it.”
He covered his face with his hands and groaned aloud. Mr. Ellerton went to him and laid a hand gently on his shoulder, saying:
“My boy, I believe you, and I freely forgive you for all you may have been influenced to do in this affair. I know what a black-hearted wretch yonder man is, and feel that he alone will have to answer for all these crimes. But I will explain all to your satisfaction some other time. Did you come to give me liberty? I see the door is open—am I to go free? I am anxious to see my son, whom I know has been a prisoner here like myself.”
“Yes, sir; all within these vaults are now free, except the smugglers, whose den it has been for so many years. But please answer me one more question before I lead you to your son. Are my father and mother living?”
“I know not,” replied Mr. Ellerton, sadly. “My brother suddenly disappeared and went to California. I have never seen him since, and your mother I can tell you nothing of. She went away soon after he left her, and I have never heard from her since. I supposed she was dead, as the squire had taken you. Ask him where she is; he ought to know, for she was his sister,” he said, pointing to the squire.
“You told me she was not your sister, but your cousin, you reprobate,” thundered Ralph, turning to the squire, who was now writhing beneath the words which proved his lies. But he lifted his head defiantly, and sneered:
“Yes, I’ve told you a good many things.”