"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."
"That's good. Well then, this death of Sir Simon's has thrown all my business into confusion. I said that before. I am the daughter of the President of the Republic of Indiana, and I have come on this boat to buy ships, as it is probable we may engage in war. Captain Kyles commands this boat, and was dealing with Sir Simon. I believe that Sir Simon was murdered by an emissary of a political party at variance with my father, the President, and----'
"Then this chap Herries is innocent," said Kind, with well-affected simplicity.
"Of course he is. I went to see if the inquest would clear his character. It did not. I am sorry for the young man, and I wish to save him if possible. Do you know where he is?"