"When the 'Neptune' arrived, I had already taken my passage, and was much surprised when Vassalla told me he was leaving Malta also; it was too late to go in another boat, or I would certainly have done so. My sister had a quarrel with me on that day when you," to Monteith, "saw us on the Barraca, and I left her, and walked home to our lodgings. I never saw her again till we met on board before the boat left."
"Then she was on board?" asked Ronald, quickly.
"Yes, it is no use me denying it, she was on board, and appeared to be very excited; she said she had seen Leopold in Valletta that day, but did not tell me he was on board the boat; then she, together with Vassalla, became separated from me in the crowd, and I never saw her again. After the boat sailed, I asked Vassalla why she had not said good-bye, and he informed me that the crowd was so great she could not find me, and went on shore as the last bell rang."
"Was Vassalla excited when he spoke to you?" asked the barrister, thoughtfully.
"No; as cool and quiet as he generally is."
"When the murder was discovered, did he say anything--make any remark?"
"No; except to mention that a passenger, called Mr. Ventin, had been killed."
"Did he see the body?" said Foster, turning to Ronald.
"I don't think so," replied Ronald doubtfully; "very few saw the body; but, of course, he must have known that Verschoyle was on board."
"How so?"