"Yes, lad, I'll come," said Uncle Luke. Then turning towards the officer, he whispered, "Where did you find the poor lad?" "You are labouring under a mistake, sir," said the man. "We have not found him--yet. My people are searching still, and half the fishermen are out in their boats, but they say it is not likely that they will find him till after a tide or two, when he will be cast ashore." The words sounded hard and brutal, and Luke gave the speaker a furious look as he saw his brother wince. "Why have you come here, then?" said Uncle Luke, harshly. "Do you think he has not suffered enough?" The officer made no reply, but stood, notebook in hand, thinking. Then sharply: "A person named Pradelle has been staying here." "Yes," said Uncle Luke, with a snap of his teeth; "and if you had taken him instead of hunting down our poor boy you would have done some good." "All in good time, sir. I expect he was at the bottom of it all. Have you any information you can give me as to where he is likely to have gone?" "Where do all scoundrels and thieves go to hide? London, I suppose." "I expected that," said the officer, talking to Uncle Luke, but watching George Vine's drawn, grief-stricken face the while. "I dare say we shall be able to put a finger upon him before long. He does not seem to have a very good record, and yet you gentlemen appear to have given him a welcome here." George Vine made a deprecating movement with his hands, the detective watching him keenly the while, and evidently hesitating over something he had to say. "And now, sir," said Uncle Luke, "you'll excuse me if I ask you to go. This is not a time for cross-examination." "Eh? perhaps not," said the officer sharply, as he gave the old man a resentful glance. Then to himself, "Well--it's duty. He had no business to. I've no time for fine feelings." "At another time," continued Uncle Luke, "if you will come to me, I dare say I can give you whatever information you require." "Oh, you may rest easy about that, sir," said the officer, half laughingly, "don't you be afraid. But I want a few words now with this other gentleman." "And I say no; you shall not torture him now," cried Uncle Luke angrily. "He has suffered enough." "Don't you interfere, sir, till you are called upon," said the officer roughly. "Now, Mr George Vine, if you please." "I will not have it," cried Uncle Luke; "it is an outrage." "Let him speak, brother," said George Vine, with calm dignity. "Now, sir, go." "I will, sir. It's a painful duty, but it is a duty. Now, sir, I came here with a properly signed warrant for the arrest of Henry Vine, for robbery and attempted murder." "Ah!" sighed Vine, with his brow wrinkling. "The young man would have resigned himself quietly, but you incited him to resist the law and escape." "It is quite true. I have sinned, sir," said Vine, in a low pained voice, "and I am ready to answer for what I have done."