“I know that Dagaeoga is in the keeping of Manitou.  I have seen too many proofs of it to doubt.  I was sure that at the right time he would return.”

Mr. Hardy came presently and then Willet.  They made no display of emotion, but their joy was deep.  Then Robert told his story to them all.

“Did you see any name on the wrecked schooner?” asked Mr. Hardy.

“None at all,” replied Robert.  “If she had borne a name at any time I’m sure it was painted out.”

“Nor did you hear the captain called by name, either?”

“No, sir.  It was always just ‘captain’ when the men addressed him.”

“That complicates our problem.  There’s no doubt in my mind that you were the intended victim of a conspiracy, from which you were saved by the storm.  I can send a trusty man down the North Jersey coast to examine the wreck of the schooner, but I doubt whether he could learn anything from it.”

He drew Willet aside and the two talked together a while in a low voice, but with great earnestness.

“We have our beliefs,” said Willet at length, “but we shall not be able to prove anything, no, not a thing, and, having nothing upon which to base an accusation against anybody, we shall accuse nobody.”

“’Tis the prudent way,” Hardy concurred, “though there is no doubt in my mind about the identity of the man who set this most wicked pot to brewing.”

Robert had his own beliefs, too, but he remained silent.

“We’ll keep the story of your absence to ourselves,” said Mr. Hardy.  “We did not raise any alarm, believing that you would return, a belief due in large measure to the faith of Tayoga, and we’ll explain that you were called away suddenly on a mission of a somewhat secret nature to the numerous friends who have been asking about you.”

Willet concurred, and he also said it was desirable that they should depart at once for Virginia, where the provincial governors were to meet in council, and from which province Braddock’s force, or a considerable portion of it, would march.  Then Robert, after a substantial supper, went to his room and slept.  The next morning, both Charteris and Grosvenor came to see him and expressed their delight at his return.  A few days later they were at sea with Grosvenor and other young English officers, bound for the mouth of the James and the great expedition against Fort Duquesne.

CHAPTER XIV

THE VIRGINIA CAPITAL

They were on a large schooner, and while Robert looked forward with eagerness to the campaign, he also looked back with regret at the roofs of New York, as they sank behind the sea.  The city suited him.  It had seemed to him while he was there that he belonged in it, and now that he was going away the feeling was stronger upon him than ever.  He resolved once more that it should be his home when the war was over.