"Well, to be precise, I don't know everything. But while I was talking to Miss Tedder, a telegram came from Trent saying that Armour had been found, bound, in a ditch." "Yes, Trent's there, and is making more mistakes than ever. He is still hunting for Mr. Herries," ended Kind, with a grin. "He hasn't found him, I hope?" asked Browne hastily. Kind turned the blade of grass in his mouth. "Not much chance of that," said he contemptuously. "Mr. Herries' hiding-place is too easy found for Trent to find it. Were I in his place," added Kind, wagging his head until the ostrich feather shook in his bowler, "the first thing I should do, would be to search the caravan." "Why?" asked Browne puzzled. "Because it's a likely place. If a man bolted, and came across a caravan, he would ask its owner to hide him. But Trent doesn't believe that Mr. Herries would be fool enough to hide in so suspicious a place. It sounds rum, I know, doctor, but that's human nature." "You argue something like Captain Bruce Kyles." "And who may he be?" "He is a Captain in the Indiana Navy, and that's a Republic in South America. I understand that he has come to England to arrange about buying new war-ships for the Republic, so in this way he was brought into contact with Sir Simon, who speculated in other things beside jam and pickles. Consequently, Captain Kyles, who is a romantic-looking scoundrel, has induced Miss Tedder to fall in love with him, and will undoubtedly become the master of her money." "And he argued in the same way as I do, doctor?" "Yes. He declares that the evidence is so plain against Herries that he believes the man to be guiltless." "Oh." Kind gave a shrewd glance at his companion, and became meditative. "He argues in that way, does he? It does him credit: no fool, I should say. But why," asked Kind, wheeling round, "does he take the trouble to defend Mr. Herries?" "That's what I have been asking myself," said the doctor, dryly. "Does he know Mr. Herries?" "No. He has never set eyes on him." "Queer," murmured the Cheap-jack with his hands in his pockets and his eyes on the ground. "I must have a look at this Captain." "You will see him at the inquest to-morrow, along with Miss Tedder and Mrs. Mountford, who is the young lady's companion." Kind nodded absently, being still occupied with the problem of Kyles' unsolicited defence of the accused man. "Where are you going now, doctor?" he asked, as they neared the town. "To see Mr. Ritson, the solicitor of Sir Simon. I wish to ask him if he has any knowledge of what took Sir Simon to the inn." "He won't know," rejoined Kind, shaking his head decisively. "If Sir Simon had intended to let Mr. Ritson know, he would have made the appointment at his office. The 'Marsh Inn,' and his giving no name, and carrying a large sum of money, and the kidnapping of Armour, all hint at blackmailing." "The kidnapping of Armour," echoed Browne, stopping short, amazed.