"Yes. I also said that I mistrusted your lawyer. I'll get a screw-driver and a hammer. The box must be opened," and Kyles left the cabin in a hurry. "I believe he is guilty himself," exclaimed Ritson striking the table. "You are wrong," remarked Señora Guzman quietly, "Captain Kyles is innocent." "He isn't," cried Maud, viciously. "I can prove--" "You can prove nothing." "I can!" "You can't, and what is more, you shan't." The two women, panting and savage, faced one another defiantly. However the scene was ended for the time being by the return of Kyles, and the box was opened by Ritson, who declined to let the Captain tamper with the precious metal. When the lid was thrown back and the glitter of sovereigns was displayed, Kyles raised another objection. "You have some money there," he admitted, "but how do I know that the sum amounts to four thousand pounds?" "Count it," said Ritson curtly. "That would take too long. Mr. Herries, will you give me your word of honour that the sum of four thousand pounds is in that box?" "Yes, so Ritson assures me." "Ah," Kyles was suspicious at once, "then _you_ can't say yourself if the whole--hark!" he stopped abruptly and held up his finger. There was a long shrill whistle, evidently from some steamer near at hand. Kyles rushed out of the cabin, and Ritson hastily replaced the lid on the box, wondering if the police had arrived thus inopportunely, and before the revelation had been made. But in any case the gold was safe, and he chuckled at the thought of having Kyles arrested, and forced to speak the truth in order to save his own neck. The buccaneer would not gain possession of the gold after all, for which Ritson was profoundly thankful. But his glee was of short duration. In five minutes, during which everyone sat pale and expectant, Kyles returned. But not alone. With him was Pope Narby, white and sick with fear. He shambled in at the heels of the Captain, and dropped into a chair. "Here," said Kyles, waving his hand, "allow me to present to you Mr. Pope Narby. He and his mother did return to the 'Marsh Inn' to prepare for flight. I sent up the launch, and they have sought safety on board this boat. I'll take them to South America. Meanwhile, I can now say, Herries, that this," he laid his hand on Pope's arm, "this is the murderer of your uncle." "No, no," howled a high, shrill voice, "I killed 'im," and Mrs. Narby, looking like a grey old rat at bay in a trap, rushed into the cabin. CHAPTER XXVI THE BEGINNING OF THE END. Ritson and Herries appeared to be the only members of the company who were surprised by Mrs. Narby's announcement. Gowrie, in a state of high glee, leaned forward, his elbows on the table, and his pipe in his mouth. "Aye, mistress," said he portentously, "ye're fighting for yer young like the milky mither o' the herd, wha horns the rash intruder wha wud convart her caulf into veal. The muckle great deil tak ye for a leear."