When this gentleman made his appearance, I recognised, not altogether with delight, my old acquaintance and supposed rival, Captain Lestrange. He failed to recognise me at first, but when I reminded him of our last meeting in Paris, he took in who I was.
“Those were hard times,” said he. “How I ever got the ladies out of that terrible city I scarcely know to this day. I see you travel on Mr Gorman’s business, and escort two ladies. Where are they?”
“I wish I knew,” said I, and gave him a full account of my ride to Malin and all that happened there.
He heard my story with growing attention and consternation.
“Decoyed!” he exclaimed vehemently. “The dogs shall pay for this! I remember that scoundrel Martin.”
“Shall you go to Rotterdam?” said I.
“I?” said he, looking at me in surprise. “I am no man of leisure just now.”
“But report says you have a particular interest in Miss Gorman’s welfare.”
“Rumour commits many impertinences,” replied he with an angry frown. “For all that, I am not master of my own movements just now. I am here to hunt down rebels; and among them, unless I mistake, a brother of yours holds a prominent place.”
I winced.