CHAPTER XXII
"My name, sir, is Milford—John Milford. Up till nine months ago I was a steward in the employment of the Blue Star Line. That was how I first came to meet Mr. Northcote. He was one of the passengers in the Caledonia last October coming from New York."
"Was he travelling by himself?" asked the magistrate.
"Yes, sir; he came on board at the last moment. He had one of the deck cabins, and it was my duty to look after him."
"How did he come to offer you the position of being his butler?"
Milford hesitated for a moment. "It was after he had saved my life, sir. I was washed overboard by a big sea on the third day out, and Mr. Northcote, who was on deck, jumped into the water and held me up until they were able to get a boat launched. I was naturally very grateful, sir; and I think it was that which first gave him the idea. Having saved my life, he felt that he could trust me with his."
A little flutter of excitement ran round the court.
"What do you mean?" asked the magistrate, leaning forward. "Did he think that his life was in danger?"
"He knew it, sir. Mr. Northcote was Ignace Prado, the President of San Luca."