"You said that you would trust me," put in Herries.
"Yes. I also said that I mistrusted your lawyer. I'll get a screw-driver and a hammer. The box must be opened," and Kyles left the cabin in a hurry.
"I believe he is guilty himself," exclaimed Ritson striking the table.
"You are wrong," remarked Señora Guzman quietly, "Captain Kyles is innocent."
"He isn't," cried Maud, viciously. "I can prove--"
"You can prove nothing."
"I can!"
"You can't, and what is more, you shan't."
The two women, panting and savage, faced one another defiantly. However the scene was ended for the time being by the return of Kyles, and the box was opened by Ritson, who declined to let the Captain tamper with the precious metal. When the lid was thrown back and the glitter of sovereigns was displayed, Kyles raised another objection.
"You have some money there," he admitted, "but how do I know that the sum amounts to four thousand pounds?"