So I said,
speaking to Lord Ivy: "There's been a mistake all around; send for Mr.
Kinney and I will explain it to you." Lord Ivy, who was looking
extremely bored, smiled and nodded, but young Aldrich laughed
ironically.
"Mr. Kinney is in his state-room," he said, "with a steward guarding the
door and window. You can explain to-morrow to the police."
I rounded indignantly upon the purser.
"Are you keeping Mr. Kinney a prisoner in his state-room?" I demanded.
"If you are--"
"He doesn't have to stay there," protested the purser sulkily. "When he
found the stewards were following him he went to his cabin."
"I will see him at once," I said. "And if I catch any of your stewards
following _me_, I'll drop them overboard."
No one tried to stop me--indeed, knowing I could not escape, they seemed
pleased at my departure, and I went to my cabin.
Kinney, seated on the edge of the berth, greeted me with a hollow groan.
His expression was one of utter misery. As though begging me not to be
angry, he threw out his arms appealingly.
"How the devil!" he began, "was I to know that a little red-headed
shrimp like that was the Earl of Ivy? And that that tall blonde girl,"
he added indignantly, "that I thought was an accomplice, is Lady Moya,
his sister?"
"What happened?" I asked.
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