“It will exactly do, sir,” answered the general. “I promised Sir Ralph to go down on that day, and will join you here in the morning. At what hour do you propose leaving London?”
“We must not start later than six, and shall then scarcely reach Texford till some time after nightfall,” answered Harry.
“No indeed,” observed the general, “I always take two days, for I have no fancy to travel in the dark, and run the risk of being ordered to ‘halt and deliver.’”
The general at a late hour wished his friends good-night, and returned to his lodgings.
Mr Hastings drove out the next morning alone, and was absent for most of the day. He also paid a visit accompanied by Harry to Captain Headland’s agent, who, without hesitation shewed the locket and other articles which had been deposited with him. Mr Hastings at once recognised them. “Had I entertained any doubts, these would have convinced me that their owner is my boy,” he said turning to Harry. “And I am convinced from what I know of you, that you will assist him in obtaining his inheritance.”
“That I will most gladly,” exclaimed Harry, “though I do not see how I can help him except with my purse.”
“More than you may suppose,” answered Mr Hastings significantly.
Harry had during the day called at the Admiralty, to report his return to England. He heard that the Thisbe’s arrival was every day looked for. He left a letter for Headland, urging him to ask for leave, and to come directly to Texford. “Mr Hastings would wait for you,” he wrote, “but he seems anxious on your account to see my father without delay, and as you may not arrive for some weeks he does not wish to defer his visit.”
At the appointed hour the general appeared at the inn, and the three gentlemen set off on their journey, in a coach and four, with Jack Headland on the coach box, not omitting to provide themselves with firearms.