In the office they found a telegram addressed to David, but his cousin opened it, believing it might be from Brett.  It was, and read as follows:—­

    “Capella arrives Whitby five o’clock.  I know everything he has to
    tell you.  If he becomes offensive, boot him.”

Robert did not show the message to his cousin.  He gave her its general purport, and added: 

“Prepare yourself for an ordeal, but be brave.  Perhaps your husband is in the hotel now, as he must have reached here half an hour ago.”

He had barely uttered the words when Mrs. Capella’s maid approached.

“Mr. Capella is here, madam,” she said “and awaits you in your sitting-room.”

Margaret became, if possible, a shade whiter.

“What about you, Robert?” she whispered.

“Me!  I am going with you.  Brett’s telegram is my authority.”

CHAPTER XXX

HUSBAND AND WIFE

The Italian was glaring out of a window when they entered the room.

He turned instantly, with a waspish ferocity.

“So, madam.” he cried, “not content with deceiving me from the first moment we met, you have left your home in company with your lover!”

Margaret looked at Robert beseechingly.  The sailor’s face was like granite.  Only his eyes flashed a warning that Capella might have noted were he less blinded by passion.

“Do not attempt to shield yourself by the presence of others!” screamed Capella.  “I know that Miss Layton and her father are here.  That is part of the game you play.  As for you, Mr. David Hume, or whatever you call yourself, your own record is not so clean that you should endeavour to cloak the misdeeds of others.”

The Italian had never before seen Robert to his knowledge.  He only met David for a few moments during an angry scene at Beechcroft, when Brett did most of the talking.  The mistake he now made was a natural one.

“It does not occur to you,” said Robert, in a voice remarkable for its calmness, “that not content with grossly insulting your wife, you are attacking the reputation of a man whom you do not know.”

“Pooh!” Capella, in his excitement, snapped his fingers.  “You Hume-Frazers are very fond of defending your reputations.  A fig for them!  You are not worthy to consort with honourable people.  I feel assured that when Mr. Layton and his daughter know the truth about you they will decline to associate with you.”

Whatever else might be urged against the Italian, he was no coward.  Such language might well have led to a fierce attack on him by a man so greatly his superior in physical strength.  But Robert sat down, near the door.

“You have some object in coming here to-day,” he said.  “What is it?”

Margaret remained standing near the fire-place.  Capella produced a bundle of papers.

“I am here,” he said, “to unmask the woman who unfortunately bears my name, and at the same time to prevent you from getting Miss Layton to marry you under false pretences.”