"I'm changing my mind, since you tell me that your father-in-law is on board the yacht." "I only think that he is on board." "Then if he is perhaps he has fled." "Fled?" Herries, somewhat startled, returned from the door. "To escape justice. I shouldn't wonder," added Ritson playing with a pen, "to learn that Gowrie was the guilty person." Herries turned red and hot at the thought of the disgrace to his wife. "All the more reason that we should see Kyles on the yacht and pay him the four thousand. He can take Gowrie to South America. This puts a different complexion on the matter, Ritson. I shan't tell Trent to come on board now." Herries, having thus made up his mind, went away. But Ritson determined, when he learned the hour of the meeting with Kyles, to tell the Inspector. The lawyer knew that if Gowrie was guilty the truth would have to be made public in order that Herries should get the fortune, and, as he intended to make a good bargain for the loan of the four thousand, he did not intend to let any sentimental business spoil his chance of getting back the money and interest. If Gowrie was guilty, he would be arrested by Trent and taken ashore; Mr. and Mrs. Herries would just have to put up with the disgrace. "Fifty thousand a year is worth a trifle of mud," thought Ritson. Meanwhile Herries, quite unaware of Ritson's proposed treachery, passed a very bad night. From the flight, as he thought it was, of Gowrie, he really began to believe that the old scamp was the guilty person after all. Since he had condescended to robbery for a few shillings, he probably would not mind throat-cutting for so large a sum as two thousand pounds. Angus did not tell Elspeth his idea of the old man's guilt, and although she saw that he had something on his mind, she could not learn what it was. That her father might have done the horrible deed, never entered her mind. All the next day Herries waited to hear from Kyles. He soon found out that the "Tarabacca" was anchored some distance away from the shore,--about a quarter of a mile, in fact, and went down to the end of the pier to look at her through a glass. She seemed a very pretty little craft of the piratical order. Herries was half minded to take a boat and board her, but on second thoughts he determined not to be so rash. While he was watching he saw a launch put off, and saw also that there was a lady in it. Thinking that this was Señora Guzman, he waited, and waved his hand. As the boat drew near the pier she recognised him, and made the sailors row longside. Herries went down the steps, and she gave him a letter. "I can't stop to talk, Mr. Herries," she said quickly, fearing apparently to be asked unnecessary questions. "Read the letter."