They would need her help later on, when Hector came to Haverton; he might as well tell her now: she was thoroughly trustworthy.
"A strange thing happened when we were at Torquay," said Picton.
She waited for him to go on.
"Late one night, just before we sailed, an old boatman rowed across the bay to the Sea-mew bringing a man with him."
"Well?" she said anxiously.
"Captain Ben was on deck, the boatman hailed him and said the man had come to see me. Ben asked his name, it was not given, but the boatman—Brack we call him—implored him to permit the man to go on board. So earnestly did he plead that Ben opened the gangway and let down the steps. The man no sooner set foot on them than Brack cleared away as fast as he could. The man came on deck, he seemed dazed, behaved like a madman. He flung himself on Ben, who easily held him back, the poor fellow was terribly weak and starved. Ben looked into his face, the man looked back; they recognized each other. That man is on the Sea-mew now. Captain Ben is watching over him, nursing him back to life and sanity. A great and grave task lies before us. We have to shield this man, hide him, until such time as he can come ashore without danger of being recognized. There was an escape from Dartmoor when we were at Torquay, Sarah."
She gasped; she felt faint; she pulled herself together.
"An escape from Dartmoor—not——"
"Hector. He is on the Sea-mew. That is why Captain Ben is not here," said Picton.