"I simply ask the question," he squeaked, in his high-pitched voice.
At first I hesitated whether to tell him the truth; yet when I reflected upon his statement that he was acting in the interests of Reggie's family, I became induced to tell the old fellow the truth regarding my discovery in the deck-house, and the plot I had overheard.
Contrary to my expectations, my statement did not disturb him in the least. He only raised his grey brows with an expression of surprise, and said:
"Then I was correct in my surmise that certain persons on board the yacht are not your friends, signorina. Was I not?"
"You were," I admitted. "But it is Mr. Keppel himself who will be responsible for the blowing up of the vessel, because he has acquiesced in a suggestion made by a person unknown."
"You never saw the man who was speaking with this Mr. Keppel? You are certain of that?"
"Quite. He was very careful not to come within range of the open ventilator."
"A wary person, evidently," grunted the old fellow. "Depend upon it, he has some very strong motive for the vessel being sent to the bottom with all on board. The captain suspects nothing, I take it?"
"Absolutely nothing. Ought we to warn him?"
"Warn him!" cried the old man. "Why, certainly not. We must remain quite quiet, and be extremely careful not to show our hand. Their secret is ours. For us that is sufficient at the present juncture," he added, with an air of contentment.