"Bless him!" he said, fervently, a little later, as the captain's foot
was heard heavily on the stair. "Does he think we are deaf?"




CHAPTER XXII

Much to the surprise of their friends, who had not expected them home
until November or December, telegrams were received from the adventurers,
one day towards the end of September, announcing that they had landed at
the Albert Docks and were on their way home by the earliest train. The
most agreeable explanation of so short a voyage was that, having found
the treasure, they had resolved to return home by steamer, leaving the
Fair Emily to return at her leisure. But Captain Bowers, to whom Mrs.
Chalk propounded this solution, suggested several others.

He walked down to the station in the evening to see the train come in,
his curiosity as to the bearing and general state of mind of the
travellers refusing to be denied. He had intended to witness the arrival
from a remote corner of the platform, but to his surprise it was so
thronged with sightseers that the precaution was unnecessary. The news
of the return had spread like wildfire, and half Binchester had
congregated to welcome their fellow-townsmen and congratulate them upon
their romantically acquired wealth.

[Illustration: "Half Binchester had congregated to welcome their
fellow-townsmen."]

Despite the crowd the captain involuntarily shrank back as the train