Mrs. Herries was so surprised that she released her hold, and stepped back a pace to see if Maud was speaking truly.
"How do you know?"
"Papa wrote a letter to her saying that he would disinherit me if I didn't give up Bruce, and asked her to meet him at the 'Marsh Inn' to see if she could take Bruce away from me."
"It might be true," murmured Elspeth, recalling that Señora Guzman smoked the brand of cigarette found in Herries' room. "But why did she kill your father?"
"He took a lot of money with him, and she wanted it to fit out an expedition to find Manco Capac's treasure."
"Who told you this?"
"Bruce. He fears her and loves me. There," Maud rose, and smoothed her skirts, "I've told you the truth. But you can prove nothing without me. Give me half the money and----"
"You shall have half the money if you save Angus," said Elspeth.