"I saw that gentleman at the inquest at Desleigh," he answered, feeling his way, for he could not quite understand the situation. "And you saw me there also?" she asked, quickly. "Yes, Madame,--I mean,--yes, ma'am." "I am neither French nor English. My name is Donna Maria Guzman. You can address me as Señora. Why have you come here?" "To restore this," replied Kind, displaying the shawl. "Where did you find it?" The Cheap-jack thought that it was necessary to lie. If Armour had been abducted by her sailors, it was not likely that she would admit such a breach of the law. "I picked it up on the road to Desleigh station," said he glibly. "Ah, yes," she replied, with an air of relief, "I fancy it must have dropped from my motor car, when I was at the inquest." So she was lying also. Kind hesitated about speaking further, as he did not quite know what to say. He wished to ask her why she had come to the inquest, and why she had permitted her sailors to abduct Armour. She saved him the trouble of asking the questions by answering at least one of them. "I went to Desleigh," she said, and Kind thought that the speech was somewhat unnecessary, "to see if the murderer of Sir Simon Tedder would be found." "Why, ma'am--I mean, Señora?" "Sir Simon was doing business with me in connection with the Republic of Indiana, through--" she glanced at the portrait. "Through Captain Kyles?" ventured Sweetlips bluntly. "What do you know of him?" she questioned, with some asperity. "I saw him at the inquest." "He was there by my request. This death of Sir Simon has thrown all my business into confusion. You seem to be a sharp fellow, and I am obliged to you for returning the shawl. It belongs to the ship and was marked to prevent its being lost; these shawls are of Indian manufacture and are somewhat expensive. My maid marked it." Again Kind wondered why she should make unnecessary explanations to him, seeing that she thought he was merely a hawker, and could not possibly guess that he was employed in detective business. She saw something of his wonderment in his face. "I daresay you are surprised at my telling you all this?" she said quickly. "Well, ma'am, I don't see why you should tell me your private business, as I am only a poor cove as gets his living hard." Señora Guzman sat down, and resting her cheek on her hand, looked at him thoughtfully. "You seem to be a sharp fellow," she said again, "and as you have come here rather opportunely, I wish to make use of you." "Yes, ma'am--I mean Señora." "I'll pay you well," she continued, "on condition that you hold your tongue." "I don't talk much, ma'am."