“Body o’ me!” he cried at last, throwing up his hands.  “Is it Mr. Lennox or his ghost?”

“It’s Mr. Lennox and no ghost,” said Robert briskly.  “Let me in, Mr. Pillsbury.  I’ve grown cold standing here on the steps.”

“Are you sure you’re no ghost?”

“Quite sure.  Here pinch me on the arm and see that I’m substantial flesh.  Not quite so hard!  You needn’t take out a piece.  Are you satisfied now?”

“More than satisfied, Mr. Lennox!  I’m delighted, Overjoyed!  We feared that you were dead!  Where have you been?”

“I’ve been serving on board a slaver on the Guinea coast.  That’s a long distance from here, and it was an exciting life, but I’m back again safe and sound, Master Jonathan.”

“I don’t understand you.  You jest, Mr. Lennox.”

“And so I do, but I tell you, Master Jonathan, I’m glad to be back again, you don’t know how glad.  Do you hear me, Master Jonathan?  The sight of you is as welcome as that of an angel!”

The air grew black before him, and he reeled and would have fallen, but the strong arm of Jonathan Pillsbury caught him.  In a moment or two his eyes cleared and he became steady.

“It was not altogether a pleasure voyage of yours,” said Master Jonathan, dryly.

“No, Mr. Pillsbury, it wasn’t.  But I came near fainting then, because I was so glad to see you.  Is Mr. Hardy here?”

“No, he has gone to the Royal Exchange.  He has been nigh prostrated with grief, but I persuaded him that business might lighten it a little, and he went out today for the first time.  Oh, young sir, he will be truly delighted to find that you have come back safely, because, although you may know it not, he has a strong affection for you!”

“And I have a high regard for him, Master Jonathan.  He has been most kind to me.”

“Come in, Mr. Lennox.  Sit down in the drawingroom and rest yourself, while I hurry forth with the welcome news.”

Robert saw that his prim and elderly heart was in truth rejoiced, and his own heart warmed in turn.  Obscure and of unknown origin though he might be, friends were continually appearing for him everywhere.  A servant took his weapons and what was left of his pack, Master Jonathan insisted upon his drinking a small glass of wine to refresh himself, and then he was left alone in the imposing drawing-room of Mr. Hardy.

He sank back in a deep chair of Spanish leather, and shutting his eyes took several long breaths of relief.  He had come back safely and his escape seemed marvelous even to himself.  As he opened his eyes a mild voice said: 

“And so Dagaeoga who went, no one knows where, has returned no one knows how.”

Tayoga, smiling but grave, and looking taller and more majestic than ever, stood before him.

“Aye, I’m back, and right glad I am to be here!” exclaimed Robert, springing to his feet and seizing Tayoga’s hand.  “Oh, I’ve been on a long voyage, Tayoga!  I’ve been to the coast of Africa on a slaver, though we caught no slaves, and I was wrecked on the coast of Acadia, and I fought and walked my way back to New York!  But it’s a long tale, and I’ll not tell it till all of you are together.  I hope you were not too much alarmed about me, Tayoga.”