“But how do you know that Manton will go there?” inquired Henry, eagerly.
“Because he is short of powder, and all our stores are concealed there, besides much of our ill-gotten wealth.”
“And how can you expect us to put ourselves so completely in your power?” said Mr Mason.
“Because you must do so if you would save your child. She is safe now, I know, and will be until the Avenger leaves the island where our stores are concealed. If we do not save her before that happens, she is lost to you for ever!”
“That no man can say. She is in the hands of God,” cried Mr Mason, fervently.
“True, true,” said Gascoyne, musing. “But God does not work by miracles. We must be up and doing at once. I promise you that I shall be faithful, and that, after the work is done, I will give myself up to justice.”
“May we trust him, mother?” said Henry.
“You may trust him, my son,” replied the widow, in a tone of decision that satisfied Henry, while it called forth a look of gratitude from the pirate.
The party now proceeded to arrange the details of their plan for the rescue of Alice and her companions. These were speedily settled, and Henry rose to go and put them in train. He turned the key of the door and was on the point of lifting the latch, when this was done for him by some one on the outside. He had just time to step back when the door flew open, and he stood face to face with Hugh Barnes the cooper.
“Have you heard the news, Henry?—hallo!”