"Girl!" he stammered. "How do you know that any girl attempted anything of that sort?"
"How do I know, Peter?" said Sophia. "I will tell you how I know. I was on board the 'Boomerang,' too!"
At this awful piece of intelligence, Peter dropped into his arm-chair, speechless and quaking. What would come next he could not tell; but anything seemed possible, and even probable, after that!
CHAPTER VII.
The Culminating Cheque.
Sophia Gives an Explanation, and Requests One.—Her Verdict.—Peter Overruled.
"Before I say anything else," said Sophia, who was still standing upon the hearth-rug, gazing down upon the wretched Peter as he sat huddled up in his chair, "you would probably like to know how I came to follow you to that steamer. It is a long story, but I will tell you if you wish to hear?"
Peter's lips moved without producing any articulate sounds, and Sophia proceeded: