So said Miss Margaret, and she did not feel at all sweet tempered as she said it. But Annie speedily smoothed her ruffled plumes, and then she continued without interruption: “Captain Gerard called to see us one evening, and explained a great deal that had transpired during his last voyage. As you are already aware, he also said that he had seen Captain Cochrane in London. You may be sure that we recommended a vigorous search, and only yesterday that search ended satisfactorily. Our man was discovered close to the house in which his sister lives, and was only captured after a very desperate resistance. Unfortunately for his future chances of defence, he at once conjectured the cause of his arrest, and protested that the passenger of the ‘Merry Maid’ was the only man to blame for the steward’s disappearance. Even if this were true, though, he tacitly admitted himself to be an accessory to crime after the fact, and very plainly showed that he had regarded himself as liable to arrest on suspicion at any moment. Probably Hugh Stavanger may try to place the onus of guilt upon the captain. But, however this part of this long string of troubles turns out, there will be quite enough evidence elicited to prove that the diamond merchant’s son left England with a great deal of the stolen property in his possession. Our solicitors have already moved for a new trial, and we have secured several important witnesses, Captain Gerard having been very helpful to us. His motives must be regarded as quite disinterested, too, for he has been promised the permanent command of the ‘Merry Maid,’ Captain Cochrane’s resignation having been sent in. Your father saw this resignation at the office of the shipowners, to whom he had explained our whole story, but as there was no address of his on the document, it gave us no clue to the man’s present whereabouts. He just seems to have hidden himself in obscure lodgings, and to have imagined that our pursuit of him would soon be abandoned. You are to see Harley to-morrow. He knows something of what has been going on, as we thought it cruel to refuse him a gleam of hope, now that things have progressed so well. I am not sure that he won’t worship you, when he sees you.” But this prospect proved so overwhelming to the over-wrought girl that she burst into a passion of weeping, and hurried up to her own room. Mrs. Riddell found the sight of Annie’s emotion unbearable, and also lost her composure, while Mr. Cory and Miss Margaret looked at each other in blank dismay. “I think I must follow Annie upstairs,” said the latter at last.