"It is the truth," said Joyce simply, so simply that Herrick was convinced that for once he was telling no lie. "When he met me and came to my flat, he told me he was my father. I did not believe him, but he soon convinced me by showing me my mother's letters.
"Addressed to him where?"
"Colonel Carr's."
"Oh!" Herrick dropped back into his chair, "so this accounts for the annuity! What is your father's real name?"
"Joyce! The same as mine. He was Colonel Carr's Cousin."
Herrick was amazed, and remembered what he had heard about the uncle of the wicked Colonel. "Carr's father turned a son out of doors," he muttered "the son went to America and married. He had one daughter--"
"My mother. She was the Carr's cousin, not my father's. I am getting confused," murmured Joyce feeling his head.
"In that case you are cousin to Stephen Marsh?"
"Yes. And I should have the money, since my grandfather was the brother of Colonel Carr. That was why I conspired, as you call it. That was why my father and Santiago tried to help me to get my rights. What do you think of it now Herrick?"
"I think that you went the wrong way to work," said Jim, "that is if you are telling me the truth,--which I doubt."