"You," Gowrie almost shrieked, "and ye own it." "I would if I wanted to," rejoined Kyles calmly, "only let me get the two thousand, which Sir Simon was about to pay me, and which by an accursed accident slipped through my fingers, and I don't mind confessing anything." "But the police----?" "They can't arrest me on board this boat, and when once steam is up, the 'Tarabacca' will show a clean pair of heels, until she drops anchor in South American waters." "But there may be an extradition treaty between Indiana Republic and Great Britain." "There is. But I'm not going back to Indiana. The President Señor Guzman, who was my friend, has been kicked out, and his enemy is in power. Of all his wealth and mine, this yacht only remains. I came to England to get money." "And nae tae purchase war-ships." "Pooh, that was a blind. However, to make a long story short, Señor Guzman is waiting for me and his daughter in a certain spot in South America which does not concern you. From that place we start out to find the treasure of Manco Capac. But to do so, I wanted money, and two thousand is the least I can do with. Indeed," said Kyles biting his fingers, "I fancy I'll ask Herries to double the sum. He can easily spare it out of fifty thousand a year." "When he gets the siller." "He'll get it right enough, after an interview with me," said Kyles carelessly, "and now we'll retire, Mr. Gowrie, and I'll inform you of my plans to bring Herries on board to-morrow." "But I thocht he wis on board," said Gowrie perplexed. "When he sent me tae spy oot the land at the 'Marsh Inn,' he wis ganging tae Pierside to see Señora Guzman. Miss Tedder accuses her o' the crime." "The devil she does. Then I can tell you it's a lie," cried Kyles, his dark face flushing, "Señora Guzman has nothing to do with these things. As to Herries,--I daresay he went to Pierside, but this boat left there early this morning. However, that makes things easier. Señora Guzman will invite him on board, and explain that she is entirely innocent." "And will you confess your guilt, Captain?" "I never said that I was guilty," retorted Kyles dryly, "don't jump to conclusions, Gowrie. Miss Tedder accuses Señora Guzman." "Aye, and Mistress Mountford accuses you." "Indeed. And you accuse Mrs. Narby. There's a devilish lot of females in this case. Well, Mr. Gowrie, and which person do you think guilty?" "Mrs. Narby." "Then you exonerate me." "Weel," said Gowrie perplexedly, "ye speak sae queerly----" "Quite so," said Kyles, cutting him short, "you evidently know nothing, Mr. Gowrie." "I tauld ye sae," said the sage triumphantly. "Did you see anything, when you slept in the tap-room?" "Naething," said Gowrie in a brazen manner. "And when you went upstairs, as you confessed at the trial?" "I didnae confess that. I said that I drugged Herries' drink tae give him a sleep." "Humph. I should scarcely think that you were so philanthropic. But you were up the stairs."