"Of course such an accusation does not deserve any defence." "You were in the neighbourhood, you set those men on Armour," cried Maud viciously, and rearranging her disordered dress. "Oh, I don't mind acknowledging that," retorted Señora Guzman with a curling lip, "I have nothing to conceal. I accompanied Captain Kyles from Pierside in the launch, and remained on board, while he went up to see Sir Simon at this inn. Captain Kyles told me that he suspected some emissary from the Republic would spy on his movements, and as he did not come back I sent up the sailors, and told them to carry away anyone who happened to be lurking about the inn at so late an hour. They saw Armour the policeman sitting under the window of Sir Simon's room, and thinking that he was waiting for Captain Kyles to descend in order to kill him,--for they took the policeman for an Indiana spy,--they muffled his head in my shawl, and carried him away, to leave him in a ditch. Then they returned to the launch which was on the river on the other side of the railway line." Herries nodded. This was exactly the explanation which he had given Elspeth, and he was delighted to see how accurate his forecast had been. But there was another point which he wished to be cleared up. "At what time did Captain Kyles return to the launch?" She shrugged her fine shoulders. "I must leave Captain Kyles to tell you his own story, Mr. Herries. All I wish to do at present, is to show Miss Tedder that I am not afraid to confess my movements on that night. It is lucky for her if she can do the same." "I was with Mrs. Armour," said Maud quickly, yet with a passing gleam of terror. "You were in this very house," said Herries sternly, "Mrs. Armour told me so." "Then she was with me. She would not allow me to go alone." "I'll ask her about that, myself," said Herries sitting down, "in the meanwhile you must confess everything you did on that night." "I shan't," said Maud, setting her baby face in an obstinate frown. "Then I shall tell the police." She quivered at this and choked. "You would tell on me, a woman, your own cousin?" "You never hesitated to tell about me," said Herries, grimly. "That's different--you are a man--you can defend yourself, not like poor little me. I have enemies," and she scowled at the Mexican lady in a most venomous manner. "I am not afraid," said Señora Guzman sitting down near the door. "You would like to kill me with a look, and marry Bruce, but you will not. Oh no, he will be my husband." "He'll be hanged." "Aha. You will accuse him, Miss Tedder. I make you my compliments on your delicate way of making love." "He loves me, he doesn't love you." "Oh, but he does, Mademoiselle; you mistake. Bruce is not fond of English babies," this with a disdainful look at Maud's childish face, twisted with rage and grief. "Ah, you cat. Wait till I see him face to face. He can't resist me. He never loved you--never, never, never."