I think you _do_ know something of this man;
it is a fancy I have taken up."
"I never knew his name was anything but Gorton," said Pike carelessly;
"never heard it nor thought it."
"Did you happen to hear him ever speak of that mutiny on board the
Australian ship _Morning Star_? You have heard of it, I daresay: a George
Gordon was the ringleader."
If ever the cool impudence was suddenly taken out of a man, this question
seemed to take it out of Pike. He did not reply for some time; and when
he did, it was in low and humble tones.
"My lord, I hope you'll pardon my rough thoughts and ways, which haven't
been used to such as you--and the sight of that boy put me up, for
reasons of my own. As to Gorton--I never did hear him speak of the thing
you mention. His name's Gorton, and nothing else, as far as I know; and
his hair's his own, for all I ever saw."
"He did not give you his confidence, then?"
"No, never. Not about himself nor anything else, past or present."
"And did not let a word slip? As to--for instance, as to his having been
a passenger on board the _Morning Star_ at the time of the mutiny?"
Pike had moved away a step, and stood with his arms on the hurdles, his
head bent on them, his face turned from Lord Hartledon.
"Gorton said nothing to me. As to that mutiny--I think I read something
about it in the newspapers, but I forget what.
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