He recalled the stately old
house and its beautiful park as he had last seen it, with all its
glories rejuvenated by the money that was pouring in to the coffers of
his detested relative. And now that malign old man was at rest, after a
tardy admission of the grievous evil he had wrought to his brother's
wife and son. Well, peace be to his crooked bones! Dick could have
wished him safely in Paradise if the wish would restore to life his
beloved mother. And she, dear soul--though he had forgotten her last
night--perhaps her gentle spirit was shielding him as he stood with his
back to the rock and faced the vicious swarm of Arabs in the darkness.
Then Stump's gruff accents broke in on his dreaming.
"Is it O.K., Sir Richard?" he asked. "Them's the papers von Kerber held
up, I reckon? Have ye got a clean bill?"
Royson stooped and grasped Stump's shoulder.
"When we reach England, skipper," he said, "you and Tagg, and Mrs.
Stump, too, for that matter, must come and see my place in the North.
An' I'll tell ye wot," he went on, with fair mimicry of Stump's voice
and manner, "you'll all 'ave the time of your lives, sink me, if you
don't!"
Stump glared up at him.
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