"That I have the jewels," he told her tersely, looking straight ahead.
At his shoulder he heard a low gasp of amazement and incredulity commingled.
"But—! How did you get them? My father deposited them in bank this morning?"
"He must have taken them out again.... I got them on board the Alethea, where your father was conferring with Mulready and Captain Stryker."
"The Alethea!"
"Yes."
"You took them from those men?—you!... But didn't my father—?"
"I had to persuade him," said Kirkwood simply.
"But there were three of them against you!"
"Mulready wasn't—ah—feeling very well, and Stryker's a coward. They gave me no trouble. I locked them in Stryker's room, lifted the bag of jewels, and came away.... I ought to tell you that they were discussing the advisability of sailing away without you—leaving you here, friendless and without means. That's why I considered it my duty to take a hand.... I don't like to tell you this so brutally, but you ought to know, and I can't see how to tone it down," he concluded awkwardly.