“Counsel began by saying that Messrs. Mills and Co., in view of the obvious conspiracy that had existed against the _Artemis_, had decided, in conjunction with Captain Markham himself, to say nothing about the safety of the ship until she was in port; but now counsel had much pleasure in informing the court and public that the _Artemis_ had safely arrived at Port Arthur, had landed her guns, and was on her way home again by now. A cablegram _via_ St. Petersburg had been received by Messrs. Mills and Co., from Captain Jutland that very morning. “That cablegram was read by counsel in court, and was received with loud and prolonged cheering which could not be suppressed. “With heroic fortitude—explained counsel—Captain Markham had borne the gross suspicions against his integrity, only hoping that news of the safety of the _Artemis_ would reach England in time to allow him to vindicate his character. But until Captain Jutland was safe in port, he had sworn to hold his tongue and to bear insult and violence, sooner than once more jeopardise the safety of the British ship by openly avowing that she carried the plans of the important port with her. “Well, you know the rest. The parties, at the suggestion of the judge, arranged the case amicably, and, Captain Markham being fully satisfied, Mr. Carleton was nominally ordered to come up for trial when called upon. “Captain Markham was the hero of the hour; but presently, after the first excitement had subsided, sensible people began to ponder. Every one, of course, appreciated the fact that Messrs. Mills and Co., prompted by the highest authorities, had insisted on not jeopardising the safety of the _Artemis_ by shouting on the housetops that she was carrying the plans of Port Arthur on board. Hostilities in the Far East were on the point of breaking out, and I need not insist, I think, on the obvious fact that silence in such matters and at such a time was absolutely imperative. “But what sensible people wanted to know was, what part had Captain Markham played in all this? “In the evening of that memorable 2nd December, he was sitting amicably by the fire with the mysterious stranger, who was evidently blackmailing him, and with the jewel-case, which contained the plans of Port Arthur, open between them. What, then, had caused Captain Markham to change his attitude? What dispelled the fear of the stranger? Was he really assaulted? Was the jewel-case really stolen? “Captain Jutland, of the _Artemis_, has explained that he was only on shore for one hour at Portsmouth on the memorable morning of 3rd December, namely, between 10.30 and 11.30 a.m. On landing at the Hard from his gig, he was met by a gentleman, whom he did not know, and who, without a word of comment, handed him some papers, which proved to be plans of Port Arthur.