"Oh, I'll keep my word," said Kyles, looking over the side, "you two men below can remain where you are!" Then he turned to three truculent-looking sailors, "Don't let them come on board. You know what to do when the launch returns."
After giving his orders, he asked the company to come below, and two sailors carried the box between them down the brass-bound steps which led to the state-room. Herries was surprised at the splendour of the cabin, but still more surprised when he saw, seated at the head of the long table, a well-known figure sipping whisky and smoking vigorously.
"Aye!" said the voice of the missing sage, "it's me, ma ain sel, Angus, taken awa frae a useful existence tae herd wi' tarry men, the which ca' themsels sailors, but who are nae mair nor the scum o' the arth. But I'll hae an action for false detention if there's law to be had, and I chairge you, laddie, tae pay ma fees."
"How the deuce did you come here?" asked Herries, recovering from his astonishment.
"I kidnapped him," said Kyles casting down his gold-laced cap, and throwing off his oilskin. "Sit down, Miss Tedder."
"Miss Tedder," echoed Maud in tones of reproach. Kyles flushed all over his bronzed face, and gave her an angry look, striving meanwhile to remain calm. "We can speak, after we have transacted this business," he said.
"Call me Maud, then."
"Maud," said the Captain in ironical tones.
"And what is Maud doing here?" asked another voice--a woman's, cold and cutting as an east wind.
Maud recognised her rival with a snarl like that of an angry cat, and looked defiantly at her. Señora Guzman, in a richly trimmed dinner dress, which well became her beauty, was standing at the door of her berth, and her face grew pale with wrath, as she gazed at the insolent baby face of Miss Tedder.