Page:Moonfleet - John Meade Falkner.pdf/273

 had saved me with that last shove forward on the beach. But he was not to be seen, and so I guessed that his great strength had brought him round quicker than had my youth, and that he was gone back to the beach.

"Hush," said one of the men at the table, "lie down and get to sleep again;" and then he added, speaking to his comrade, "His brain is wandering yet. Do you see how he has caught up my words about Elzevir?"

"No," I struck in, "my head is clear enough; I am speaking of Elzevir Block. I pray you tell me where he is. Is he all well again?" They got up and stared at one another and at me, when I named Elzevir Block, and then I knew the one that spoke for Master Ratsey, only grayer than he was.

"Who are you," he cries, "who talk of Elzevir Block?"

"Do you not know me, Master Ratsey?" and I looked full in his face. "I am John Trenchard, who left you so long ago. I pray you tell me where is Master Block?"

Master Ratsey looked as if he had seen a ghost, and was struck dumb at first, but then ran up and shook me by the hand so warmly that I fell back again on my pillow, while he poured out questions in a flood. How had I fared, where had I been, whence had I come? until I stopped him, saying, "Softly, kind friend, and I will answer; only tell me first, where is Master Elzevir?"

"Nay, that I cannot say," he answered, "for never a soul has set eyes on Elzevir since that summer morning we put thee and him ashore at Newport."

"Oh, fool me not!" I cried out, chafing at his excuses; "I am not wandering now. 'Twas Elzevir that