“Ah! yes, indeed,” he replied, pressing the little hand warmly.
She greeted him with a charming smile, returned the hearty shake of his hand, and was her own sweet, natural self once more. There was no cold, scornful dignity in her manner, and in his heart Mr. Ellerton pronounced her a most lovely and lovable little lady.
“But,” he presently said, with a comical look, first at Robert, then at her, “by what name shall I address this young lady?”
“Dora Dupont, for the present, please,” she laughed, though her cheeks were rosy red.
In the meantime, Ronald Edgerton, in his disguise, had seen that every smuggler was securely bound and placed under a sufficient guard to insure against any possibility of their escaping.
Then he sought the two Italians, and held a whispered conference with them for a few moments; then all approached the group where Robert and his father stood.
“Sir,” said Edgerton, with a pale face, and in a voice that quivered in spite of his efforts to steady it, “I see you are free, and my aid in that matter will not be necessary; but yonder sits a man,” pointing to the squire, “with whom I have a long account to settle, and I would like you to be present and listen to what passes between us.”
Mr. Ellerton started forward and grasped his hand warmly, saying:
“Ah! yes, my friend; I think I have seen you before. If I mistake not, you are the one who gave me a word of cheer, while you relieved me of my property. Strange contradiction, though,” he added, laughing, “to take all I was worth, leave me a beggar, and then tell me to be of good cheer. But please tell me your name, and then I’ll comply with your request.”
“I am known here as Jake Toleman; but more of myself hereafter; we will attend to Squire Moulton first.”