It was past two in the morning when he
arose to return to his own ship.
At parting he kissed Tristram on both cheeks. "Farewell, dear lad!"
he said, with a manner that was admirably paternal. "We shall not
meet again till the ships cast anchor in the Maese. Meanwhile steel
your heart and look forward to a better fortune."
He picked up the lantern and, climbing the ladder, nodded back
reassuringly as he lifted the hatch. At the same time he was
secretly a good deal perplexed; for in all that he had learnt there
was nothing to throw light on the Earl's words. "Now, why the devil
is the lad to be looked after?" he wondered. For in fact Tristram
had said nothing of the inheritance. And the reason for this was the
very simple one that he himself knew nothing about it, Captain Barker
and Captain Runacles having long ago agreed to keep it a secret from
him until he should come of age. They had arrived at this resolution
after many weeks of discussion, and beyond a doubt their wisdom had
been justified in the course of the last hour.
There was no perplexity visible, however, in the kindly smile which
Tristram beheld and returned with interest. A moment after he was
left in blank darkness. But, being by this time tired out, as well
as greatly comforted, he curled himself up on the bare floor, and
within five minutes had dropped off into a dreamless sleep.
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