CHAPTER VIII.
PERRY'S REVELATION.
DEAR STRANGE,—Have you seen the news in to-day's paper? I have just caught sight of it. If the Vengeance has foundered, or whatever the mishap may be, and Tom Heriot should be one of the escaped prisoners, he will be sure to make his way home. Rely upon it he has not grown less reckless than he was, but probably has become more so. What trouble may not come of it? Do try and get at the particulars officially, as to whether there's truth in the report, or not; and let me know without delay.
Very truly yours,
Level.
Letters from Paris and the Continent generally were then usually delivered about mid-day. I was talking with Lennard in the front office when this one arrived. The clerks had gone to dinner.
"Have you heard the rumour about the ship Vengeance, Lennard?" I asked, laying down Lord Level's letter.
"I read it yesterday," he answered.
"I wonder how I could learn whether there's any foundation for it?"