Then it was that he was taken, and in the same week sent to the assizes, and condemned to seven years’ penal labour in the convict establishment at Prince’s Town. Thence he had escaped, assisted by Jasper and Watt, whilst the former was on his way to Morwell with the remnant of the money recovered from Martin.
The rest is known to the reader.
Whilst Jasper ate the mean meal provided for him, his father watched him.
‘So,’ said the old man, and the twinkle was in his cunning eyes, ‘so you have hired yourself to Mr. Ignatius Jordan at Morwell as his steward?’
‘Yes, father. I remain there as pledge to him that he shall be repaid, and I am doing there all I can to put the estate into good order. It has been shockingly neglected.’
‘Who for?’ asked Mr. Babb.
‘I do not understand.’
‘For whom are you thus working?’
‘For Mr. Jordan, as you said!’
The manufacturer chuckled.