"Was this why Kind went up to town?"
"Yes. He met me yesterday ashore, and I gave him my instructions."
"Oh," cried the young man, wonderfully surprised, "and do you mean to say that Kind obeyed them?" Kyles pointed to the telegram. "That proves it." Ritson picked up the wire and looked at the time. "You got this before the news came to Trent," he said sharply.
"Oh," remarked the Captain smiling, "so the police have been informed already. I told Kind to let them know in London, guessing that the news would be at once forwarded to Tarhaven. My only regret is that Pope Narby should have escaped. But we can't foresee everything."
"Aye," remarked Gowrie waving his pipe, "what says glorious Robbie?
'The best laid plans o' mice an' men
Gang then wrang.'
"I'm nae varra sure o' the context, but there's the sense for ye."
Herries passed a bewildered hand across his brow. "I don't quite understand," he observed. "Is Pope Narby the guilty person?"
"Oh, I don't say that," replied the Captain, agreeably.
"It's his limmer o' a mither," cried Gowrie.