"He will have to acknowledge himself guilty then," said Mrs. Mountford obstinately, "in which case he should be arrested." "Certainly. And I may tell you that I intend to give information to Inspector Trent as to my engagement to see Kyles on board the yacht. He will come later in the evening, for I believe that the explanation will be given to-morrow night. If Kyles is guilty he will be arrested. But he won't confess unless he gets the money, so I must enlist the services of Ritson to procure it, and take it on board. I can get it back if your surmise is correct." "Well," said Mrs. Mountford coldly, "I presume that will be the best way to settle the matter. And Mr. Herries," she added, giving him her hand, "I may tell you that I am glad you have got the money. Were Maud in possession, I would lose my influence over her, and then God knows what would happen to so feather-headed a creature. She would be surrounded by flatterers and sycophants, and would waste the money in excesses, ending probably in an insane asylum." "But she is not mad." "I tell you she is at times," said Mrs. Mountford impatiently. "The germs of insanity are in her, and it only needs great emotions to develop them into rank lunacy. See what she was prepared to do, in order to get Captain Kyles for a husband. She is not safe, she never will be safe; and Sir Simon did not want her to marry. No, Mr. Herries, you get this money and make good use of it. Maud and myself will go abroad and live on her thousand a year." "You must let me add to that," said Herries shaking her hand in a hearty manner. "I believe that you are a good woman." "I have had great troubles," said Mrs. Mountford, "and troubles make us think of others. When you are in possession of that large income, Mr. Herries, don't forget the poor and needy. Let your troubles aid you to remember the troubles of others." "You can depend upon that," said Herries, and took his leave feeling a profound respect for Mrs. Mountford.