"I'm bound to say, sir, the appearances are in favour of you. But there should be other proof, don't you think--papers or something?" "Certainly," agreed Bronston. He drew a red leather wallet from his own breast-pocket and handed it over to Watts. Then, working deftly, he extracted half a dozen letters and a sheaf of manuscript notes from an inner pocket of Keller's coat and tendered them for examination; which crowning indignity rendered Keller practically inarticulate with madness. Watts scanned these exhibits briefly, paying particular attention to a formal-looking document which he drew from the red wallet. "These things seem to confirm what you say," was his comment. He continued, however, to hold the written and printed testimony in his hands. He glanced at the impressive document again. "Hold on; this description of the man who is wanted says he has a moustache?" "Oh, I'm going to offer you other proof, plenty of it," Bronston promised, cutting in on Keller, who grew more incoherently vocal with each moment. "Would you be so good as to send for the ship's barber?" "Bring the barber!" ordered Watts of a wide-eyed cabin boy. "This steward has served us since we came aboard," went on Bronston, indicating Lawrence. "Now, my man, I want you to tell the truth. Which of us two seemed to be in charge on the night you first saw us--the night we came aboard--this man or I?" "You, sir," answered Lawrence. "I recall quite distinctly that 'twas you spoke to me about the 'eavy luggage." "Who took from you the wireless message which you brought yesterday to our stateroom, addressed to the representative of the Sharkey Detective Agency?" "You, sir." "Who handed you your tip a few minutes ago for serving us during the voyage?" "You did, thank you, sir." A figure of dignity pushed forward through the ring of excited spectators and a sonorous, compelling voice was raised impressively. Major Slocum had been late in arriving upon the scene, but what he now said earned for him instant attention. "Mr. Officer," announced the Major with a gesture which comprehended the central pair of figures, "you may accept it from me as an absolute and indisputable fact that this gentleman, who calls himself Brown, is a bona-fide detective. I gleaned as much from my conversation with him upon the occasion of our first meeting. He evinced a wide knowledge of police matters. Of the other person I know nothing, except that, since Brown is the detective, he must perforce be the prisoner." He cleared his throat before going on: "Moreover, deeply though I regret to bring a lady, and especially a young lady, into a controversy involving a person who is charged with crime"--here he blighted the hapless Keller with a glare--"deeply as I regret it, I may say that my niece is in position to supply further evidence."