He stopped again, his face expressing poignant grief.

“I know, sir,” said Desmond.  “Sir Willoughby told me.”

“He told you!  He did not mention Peloti?”

“No, sir; but I see it all now.  It was Diggle—­Peloti, I mean—­who betrayed your brother.  I understand now why the squire took no steps against Grinsell.  His accomplice was Diggle.”

He related the incident of the house breakers.

“Yes,” said Merriman, “that throws a light on things.  Peloti, I imagine, had previously seen the squire, and tried to get money from him.  Sir Willoughby refused:  he gave him a thousand pounds ten years ago on condition he left the country and did not return.  So the villain resolved to rob him.  ’Twas fortunate indeed you appeared in time.  That is the reason for his hating you.”

“There was another, sir,” said Desmond with some hesitation.  “He thought I was hankering after the squire’s property—­aiming at becoming his heir.  ’Twas ridiculous, sir; such an idea never entered my head.”

“I see.  Peloti came to India and got employment in the Company’s service at Madras.  But he behaved so badly that he had to be turned out—­he said Mr. Clive hounded him out.  What became of him after that I don’t know.  But let us leave the miserable subject.  Tell me, what are your ideas?  What are you going to do, now that you are a free man once more?  Get another berth as supercargo?”

His eyes twinkled as he said this.

“No, thank you, sir; once bit twice shy.  I haven’t really thought of anything definite, but what I should like best of all would be a cadetship under Colonel Clive.”

“Soho!  You’re a fighter, are you?  But of course you are; I have reason to know that.  Well, we’ll see what my friend Mr. Clive says.  You’ve no money, I suppose?”

“Not a half penny, sir; but if the governor will admit that the grab is my lawful prize, I thought of selling her; that will bring me a few pounds.”

“Capital idea.  Punctilio won’t stand in the way of that, I should think.  Well now, I’ll speak to Mr. Clive for you, but don’t build too much on it.  He cannot give you a commission, I fear, without the authority of the governor of Madras; and though no doubt a word from him would be effectual, he’s a very particular man, and you’ll have to prove you’re fit for a soldier’s life.

“Meanwhile, what do you say to this?  I’ve taken a fancy to you.  I’m a merchant; trade pays better than soldiering, in general.  I’ve got ships of my own, and I dare say I could find a berth for you on one of them.  You seem to know something of navigation?”

“Very little, sir; just what I picked up on the Good Intent.”

“Well, that’s a beginning.  I’ve no doubt that Admiral Watson will wish you to go to Gheria with him:  your knowledge of the place will be useful.  He won’t start for a month or two:  why not occupy the time in improving your navigation, so that if there are difficulties about a cadetship you’ll be competent for a mate’s berth?  Nothing like having two strings to your bow.  What do you say to that?”