“Miles, don’t tell me yours were unloaded, too?”

“ ’Deed an’ they were! Ecod, Jack! ’tis the best joke I’ve heard for a twelvemonth.” They both started to laugh. “Sure ’twas bluff on my part, Jack, when I told ye yours was unloaded. And me lady was determined to set you free from the moment I told her all about it this morning. We were sure ye were no ordinary highwayman, though I was a fool not to have known ye right away. But now I have found ye out, ye’ll stay with us⁠—Cousin Harry?”

“I cannot thank you enough, Miles, but I will not do that. I must get back to Jim.”

“And who the devil is Jim?”

“My servant. He’ll be worried nigh to death over me. Nay, do not press me, I could not stay here, Miles. You must see for yourself ’tis impossible⁠—Jack Carstares does not exist; only Anthony Ferndale is left.”

“Jack, dear man, can I not⁠—”