"Search for the real murderer and bring Mr. Herries to me, that is, if you can find his whereabouts. I want to get at the truth of this matter, so as to explain to my father, who will certainly blame me for what has taken place."
"But why should you think that I am able to help you?" asked the Cheap-jack with open suspicion.
Donna Maria laughed.
"Oh, I am accustomed to judge men," she said in a light tone, "and your ruse to get speech with me was very clever."
Kind was taken aback.
"Do you think that I----?"
"My friend, I am perfectly certain that you quarrelled with those sailors to bring me on deck," she responded, "and that being the case, I see that you are a man of resource. Serve me, and I pay you well. And," she added, bending towards him with a fierce look, "I do not fear your talking. If I employ you, I employ others also, and if you talk, a knife thrust will soon silence you."
"This is England, and not lawless Indiana," retorted Kind.
"All the same, you have had your warning," replied Señora Guzman in a careless tone. "Here," she took out a gold net purse, and produced from it a couple of sovereigns, "this is for bringing back the shawl. I will pay you well, if you will keep your eyes open, and find this missing man. I can do nothing until he tells me what really took place on that night."
Kind felt inclined to explain that Herries was perfectly ignorant of what had taken place, but he did not wish to let this very vehement lady know his real position, and therefore accepted her gratuity with thanks. But before withdrawing he wished to learn one thing,--was Donna Maria in love with Kyles? He believed she was from the glances she threw occasionally at the photograph. If she did love the buccaneer, did she know that he was engaged to Miss Maud Tedder? If she did not, here would be a chance of putting--as the saying is--a spoke in Captain Kyles' wheel. Sweetlips did not doubt but what Captain Kyles had something to do with the crime, although to be sure, his doubts were founded upon uncertain evidence. He put the matter to an immediate test.