"That cannot be," said Sunlocks. "Yet where is she? What has become of her? Is she with her father? What is she doing?"
"You shall soon know now," said Jason. "Only ask to-morrow and this good woman will take you to her."
"But why not you yourself, Jason?" said Sunlocks.
"Because I am to stay here until you return," said Jason.
"What?" cried Sunlocks. "You are to stay here?"
"Yes," said Jason.
"As bondman to the law instead of me? Is that it? Speak!" cried Sunlocks.
"And why not?" said Jason, calmly.
There was silence for a moment. Sunlocks felt about with his helpless hands until he touched Jason and then he fell sobbing upon his neck.
"Jason, Jason," he cried, "this is more than a brother's love. Ah, you do not know the risk you would run; but I know it, and I must not keep it from you. Any day, any hour, a despatch may come to the ship outside to order that I should be shot. Suppose I were to go to the dear soul who calls for me, and the despatch came in my absence—where would you be then?"