“That were false?” questioned his nephew, with angry eagerness. “Some were true, and some were false,” was the dogged reply. “It is enough,” replied Ralph, with an ominous calmness. Then, turning again to Mr. Ellerton, he said, “We will talk of this again; but come now, and I will take you to your son. You, sir, must go also; there will perhaps be some explanations to be made which will require your presence,” he said to his uncle. They each took an arm, and led the baffled wretch back through the passages whence he came so jubilantly but a short while before. They entered the principal room, placed him under guard, and then Ralph, with a humble air, led Mr. Ellerton toward the group where he saw Robert conversing with Madame Alroyd. He then immediately retired to a distant part of the room, and sat down to nurse his sorrow and remorse alone. CHAPTER XXXII. DEFEATED. With those few touching words, which fell from the lips of the long-parted father and son, they were clasped in each other’s arms, all the bitter feeling of the six years previous swept from their hearts, leaving nothing but love, joy, and thankfulness in their place. Dora looked upon this meeting, sobbing for joy, and, like them, forgetting past injuries in the bliss of the delightful present. At length Robert wiped the tears, which would come, and taking Dora’s hand placed it within that of his father, saying, with a proud, fond look: “Father, this is Dora; you surely remember her.” “Ah! yes, indeed,” he replied, pressing the little hand warmly. She greeted him with a charming smile, returned the hearty shake of his hand, and was her own sweet, natural self once more. There was no cold, scornful dignity in her manner, and in his heart Mr. Ellerton pronounced her a most lovely and lovable little lady. “But,” he presently said, with a comical look, first at Robert, then at her, “by what name shall I address this young lady?” “Dora Dupont, for the present, please,” she laughed, though her cheeks were rosy red. In the meantime, Ronald Edgerton, in his disguise, had seen that every smuggler was securely bound and placed under a sufficient guard to insure against any possibility of their escaping. Then he sought the two Italians, and held a whispered conference with them for a few moments; then all approached the group where Robert and his father stood. “Sir,” said Edgerton, with a pale face, and in a voice that quivered in spite of his efforts to steady it, “I see you are free, and my aid in that matter will not be necessary; but yonder sits a man,” pointing to the squire, “with whom I have a long account to settle, and I would like you to be present and listen to what passes between us.” Mr. Ellerton started forward and grasped his hand warmly, saying: