"No. He simply said that he was there, and would see her before he returned to the 'Tarabacca,' which is still at Pierside." "With Señora Guzman on board?" "I suppose so. But I want you, Mr. Herries, to have Captain Kyles arrested and his guilt proved. Then you can give Maud a sum of money, and I'll take her to the Colonies, there to begin a new life." "I shall certainly see Kyles, and have him arrested if possible," said Herries, "but I am not quite certain about giving Maud money. In the first place I am penniless myself----" "You will be rich when Captain Kyles is condemned." "Not sufficiently so to pay Maud an income for behaving in so wicked a way. I wonder you have the face to ask me, Mrs. Mountford." "I love her in spite of her faults," pleaded the ex-governess; and then her dignity broke down and she began to cry. "I know she is wicked and has been led astray by Captain Kyles, but I brought her up from the cradle and am attached to----" "An' muckle creedit does the lassie dae ye," cried Gowrie angrily. "Mr. Herries," said Mrs. Mountford wiping her eyes and taking no notice of the tutor, "what will you do?" "Nothing at present. I am sorry, Mrs. Mountford, for I recognise your good heart, but Maud is too bad. Later we can speak of this. You can go, Mrs. Mountford." The ex-governess, with all her stiffness taken out of her, rose and walked limply to the door. Without a word, she vanished, and the three left alone, stared at one another. Gowrie opened his mouth. Elspeth would have spoken, but Herries, master of the situation, held up his hand. "Not a word from either of you," he said, "Gowrie, you must take up your quarters at the 'Marsh Inn,' and let me know what Kyles is up to." "Why not yersel', laddie?" "He would suspect me, he won't suspect you. You can go to-morrow." "And what will you do, Angus?" asked Elspeth. "I'll go to Pierside and interview Señora Guzman." "Do you believe that Captain Kyles is guilty, Angus?" "No, your father heard a woman moving about in the darkness. I would not be surprised to learn that the woman was Mrs. Mountford herself. I can account in no other way for her preposterous behaviour." CHAPTER XX AT THE "MARSH INN" The Rev. Michael Gowrie was not averse to visiting the "Marsh Inn" again, as he was well known there, and posed as a fireside king. Certainly Mrs. Narby had refused to receive him again, after the desertion of Elspeth, but now that she knew Gowrie was the father-in-law of a wealthy man, she would probably change her tune. Moreover, the old tutor saw that it was necessary to discover the assassin of Sir Simon, if the money was to be fingered by himself. For if Herries did not fulfil the conditions of the will, and bring the murderer to justice, he could not inherit the fortune, in which case Mr. Gowrie would not reap the reward he hoped to gain, for letting Elspeth marry the man. The golden apple which Gowrie longed to pluck was yet beyond his reach.