"
"Oh! I do so hope that the villains will be discovered. Is there
anything I can do?"
"Hardly, Mrs. Wilders. But, as you are the only representative of the
family, it would be well perhaps for you to go on board the yacht.
Poor Lord Lydstone's papers and effects should be sealed up. One of us
will accompany you."
"I shall be delighted to be of any use. When shall we start?"
"The sooner the better," said the _attache_, Mr. Loftus by name; and,
leaving the inquiry, the two took boat, and were presently alongside
the _Arcadia_.
They were received by the captain, a fine specimen of a west-country
sailor, a hardy seaman, well schooled in his profession, who had long
commanded a vessel in the Mediterranean trade, and was thus well
qualified to act as sailing-master in the _Arcadia's_ present cruise.
But Captain Trejago was soft-hearted, easily led, especially by any
daughter of Eve, and he had long since succumbed to the fascinations
of Mrs. Wilders's charms. From the day she first trod the deck of the
yacht he had become her humblest, perhaps, but most devoted, admirer
and slave.
They exchanged a few words of sympathy and condolence.
"You have lost a good friend, Captain Trejago," said the lady.
"He was that, ma'am. My lord was one of the finest, noblest men that
ever trod in shoe-leather.
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