"I might or I might not. But if you speak the truth your life is safe. Until I leave these dangerous coasts I may have to keep you prisoner, but you will be well treated. Come now," Kyles rapped on the table, "tell me all." Thus compelled, Gowrie, shivering with dread, related all that he knew concerning the case, from the time of Herries' arrest, down to his digging in the garden in search of what Mrs. Narby had hidden. The Captain kept his sinister eyes on the wrinkled old face before him, and made sure that the tutor was speaking the truth. Gowrie never considered that he might be betraying Herries to the enemy. All he wanted was to save his life, and escape from the gaze of those eyes which probed into his guilty old soul. When he ended the Captain flung himself back in the chair and laughed. "You old villain," said he sneeringly, "no wonder I intend to keep you a prisoner." "What?" cried Gowrie in dismay. "For the time being. You have been so ready to betray your son-in-law, that you would have no hesitation in betraying me. You will stop here." "For how long, Captain Kyles?" "Until the murderer of Sir Simon is arrested." "Mistress Narby?" "Perhaps. It looks as though the woman was guilty, and yet----" his brows wrinkled themselves perplexedly, and he shook his head, "I do not quite see how to----" here he fell into a brown study. "See to do what?" ventured Gowrie. Kyles turned and smiled. "That is my business. Do you think Mr. Herries would come and see me on board this boat, if I asked him?" "I'll tack the message ma ain sel," said Gowrie eagerly. "I dare say you would," replied the Captain dryly, "But it doesn't suit my book to let you go on shore; you might make capital out of this kidnapping." "I swear----" "I wouldn't were I you. It will do no good. Answer me a few questions, Mr. Gowrie. Where is Mrs. Narby?" "At the inn." "And her husband,--her son?" "Pope's in London getting his poetry published, but I don't know where the husband is." "Humph. I notice, Mr. Gowrie, that you waver between Scotch and English according to the state of your feelings. I assure you that now I know what I know, you are quite safe. Take another drink." Kyles pushed the bottle in the old man's direction. "And what's more, if I get this money," he glanced towards the box, "I'll pay you well for the fright that you have had." "But hoo can ye get the siller?" asked Gowrie reassured, and again filling his glass. "Herries will give me the equivalent of those notes." "He canna, Captain." "What, with fifty thousand a year?" "He does nae come in for the siller until he finds the murderer o' his uncle." "Well," said Kyles, coolly, "I may be able to help him there." "Eh mon, dive ye ken wha killed the auld mon?" "I do," said Kyles, nodding decisively. "And who?"--Gowrie was devoured by curiosity. "No, no, Mr. Gowrie. It is not yet the time to play my hand. You are of opinion that Mrs. Narby is guilty. Perhaps I struck the blow----"