The men carried the insensible man to the basket, and lashed him in it.
"You are to go with the Marquis," said the captain to Cheyne.
"Go where?"
"Ashore in the sling. And here's a flask of brandy. His lordship has fainted. Give him some brandy as you are hauled ashore."
Cheyne took the flask.
"Who says I am to go ashore the first trip?"
"His grace the Duke."
"But does he know why I have come here, and who I am?"
"No, I don't think so. But do not waste any more time. If we are to escape, there must be no loss of time."
"Of course not," thought Cheyne. "The Duke may not know who I am, or anything about me. How could he know me? I have not told my name to anyone here. I thought it would be fine vengeance to come down here and kill this weakling. But would it not be a finer revenge to save him, and then, when he has recovered, declare who I am, and ask if it were likely I, who had risked my life to save him and his father from death, had written that book with an unworthy motive or could be the son of an unworthy mother? Yes, by all means, let me give what help I can."