“And would be, no doubt.  But see here:  Gorton was not disguised; Gordon would not dare to be in London without being so; his head’s not worth a day’s purchase.  Fancy his walking about with only one letter in his name altered!  Rely upon it, Mr. Carr, you are mistaken; Gordon would no more dare come back and put his head into the lion’s mouth than you’d jump into a fiery furnace.  He couldn’t land without being dropped upon:  the man was no common offender, and we’ve kept our eyes open.  And that’s all,” added the detective, after a pause.  “Not very satisfactory, is it, Mr. Carr?  But, such as it is, I think you may rely upon it, in spite of your own opinion.  Meanwhile, I’ll keep on the look-out for Gorton, and tell you if he turns up.”

The conference was over, and Mr. Green took his departure.  Thomas Carr saw him out himself, returned and sat down in a reverie.

“It’s a curious tale,” said Lord Hartledon.

“I’m thinking how the fact, now disclosed, of Gordon’s being Gordon of the mutiny, affects you,” remarked Mr. Carr.

“You believe him to be the same?”

“I see no reason to doubt it.  It’s not probable that two George Gordons should take their passage home in the Morning Star.  Besides, it explains points that seemed incomprehensible.  I could not understand why you were not troubled by this man, but rely upon it he has found it expedient to go into effectual hiding, and dare not yet come out of it.  This fact is a very great hold upon him; and if he turns round on you, you may keep him in check with it.  Only let me alight on him; I’ll so frighten him as to cause him to ship himself off for life.”

“I don’t like that detective’s having gone down to Calne,” remarked Lord Hartledon.

Neither did Mr. Carr, especially if Gordon, or Gorton, should have become talkative, as there was reason to believe he had.

“Gordon is in England, and in hiding; probably in London, for there’s no place where you may hide so effectually.  One thing I am astonished at:  that he should show himself openly as George Gorton.”

“Look here, Carr,” said Lord Hartledon, leaning forward; “I don’t believe, in spite of you and the detective, that Gordon, our Gordon, was the one connected with the mutiny.  I might possibly get a description of that man from Gum of Calne; for his son was coming home in the same ship—­was one of those killed.”

“Who’s Gum of Calne?”

“The parish clerk, and a very respectable man.  Mirrable, our housekeeper whom you have seen, is related to them.  Gum went to Liverpool at the time, I know, and saw the remnant of the passengers those pirates had spared; he was sure to hear a full description of Gordon.  If ever I visit Hartledon again I’ll ask him.”

“If ever you visit Hartledon again!” echoed Mr. Carr.  “Unless you leave the country—­as I advise you to do—­you cannot help visiting Hartledon.”