Ayrton’s Obstinacy

           AYRTONcame.Hecrossedthedeckwithaconfidenttread,andmountedthestepstothepoop.Hiseyesweregloomy,histeethset,hisfistsclenchedconvulsively.Hisappearancebetrayedneithereffronterynortimidity.WhenhefoundhimselfinthepresenceofLordGlenarvanhefoldedhisarmsandawaitedthequestionscalmlyandsilently.

           "Ayrton,"saidGlenarvan,"herewearethen,youandus,onthisveryDuncanthatyouwishedtodeliverintothehandsoftheconvictsofBenJoyce."

           Thelipsofthequartermastertrembledslightlyandaquickflushsuffusedhisimpassivefeatures.Nottheflushofremorse,butofshameatfailure.Onthisyachtwhichhethoughthewastocommandasmaster,hewasaprisoner,andhisfatewasabouttobedecidedinafewseconds.

           However,hemadenoreply.Glenarvanwaitedpatiently.ButAyrtonpersistedinkeepingabsolutesilence.

           "Speak,Ayrton,whathaveyoutosay?"resumedGlenarvan.

           Ayrtonhesitated,thewrinklesinhisforeheaddeepened,andatlengthhesaidincalmvoice:

           "Ihavenothingtosay,myLord.Ihavebeenfoolenoughtoallowmyselftobecaught.Actasyouplease."

           Thenheturnedhiseyesawaytowardthecoastwhichlayonthewest,andaffectedprofoundindifferencetowhatwaspassingaroundhim.Onewouldhavethoughthimastrangertothewholeaffair.ButGlenarvanwasdeterminedtobepatient.PowerfulmotivesurgedhimtofindoutcertaindetailsconcerningthemysteriouslifeofAyrton,especiallythosewhichrelatedtoHarryGrantandtheBritannia.