"I saw it was Bruce, and he told me all, and also mentioned that Angus was sleeping in the next room. To save Bruce, and to get my own money, I determined to get Angus hanged for the crime, so I did what Bruce said. Papa had left the money to Angus, as he told Bruce, and Bruce told me, so I thought that if Angus was hanged the money would come back to me. And if you were to die now," added Maud tigerishly, "I should have my fortune again, and then my own Bruce would marry me."
Before Herries could exclaim on the iniquity of his cousin's conduct, there was a sudden shouting overhead. Kyles started and listened. Down the stairs rushed an excited man--he was one of the engineers--who cried out that the police were on board.
"The police," cried Herries, astonished.
"The police," echoed Kyles wrathfully. "Did you betray me, Herries?"
"No. I swear that I----"
"I told Trent to come," cried Ritson, much excited, "as I want the murderer arrested, and----"
Before he could say anything further, Mrs. Narby was at his throat.
"You 'ang my son," she shrieked, "I'll choke y' furst. Guy up thet confession. Pope, come an' elp me."
But Pope, terrified out of his life at his danger, ran up the cabin stairs in the vain endeavour to escape, and so fell into the arms of Trent himself. Ritson, shaking off the old woman, ran up also, and shouted out to Trent to hold the murderer. Kyles followed, and there was a general rush. The night was clear with moonlight, and the deck was filled with the sailors of the yacht. Trent, with a couple of policemen, was on board, and in the boats longside were many others who were being kept from getting on deck by some of the crew.
"I arrest everyone on board this ship," cried Trent loudly, "in the name of the King----"