“It was a natural supposition,” the captain replied, as he shook hands with Carteret and Lieutenant Boyd.
“My good fellows, I am greatly indebted to you for this service—for your timely rescue. I was awake when you arrived, and overheard the little discussion, but as I was both gagged and bound, I could do nothing in my own behalf.”
With that his face darkened, and striding to the table, he struck it a blow with his fist that set the bottles and cups rattling, and caused Ruthven and his evil crew to shrink back in their seats.
“You and I will have a reckoning at a later time,” he cried, addressing Ruthven. “Be assured that it will come!”
“A word with you, Captain Rudstone,” said Boyd. “I must warn you that you are charged with a grave crime, and that I have given a pledge for your safe keeping at Fort Garry.”
“What is the accusation?”
“The murder of Cuthbert Mackenzie!” Ruthven blurted out savagely.
The captain shrugged his shoulders, laughed insolently, and gave me a meaning and reassuring glance.
“I reserve my defense,” he said. “I will say nothing at present as to the truth or falsity of this charge. Certainly I have done nothing that I would willingly undo—quite the contrary.”
“I am sure of that,” I said warmly.