They are in irons, now, on board the Annabel Lee.
"But what I cannot understand, Mr.Cleggett, is why these men should risk so much to make off with an empty box." "An empty box!" cried Cleggett.
"Empty!" echoed Lady Agatha and Miss Pringle, in concert.
The detective wrenched the cover from the box of Reginald Maltravers.
"Practically empty, at any rate," he said.
And, indeed, except for a few wads of wet excelsior, there was nothing in the box of Reginald Maltravers.
"Where, then," cried Lady Agatha, "is Reginald Maltravers ?" "Where, indeed," said Wilton Barnstable, "is Reginald Maltravers ?" "Where, then," cried Miss Pringle, "are my plum preserves ?" "Where, indeed ?" repeated Wilton Barnstable.

And Barton Ward and Watson Bard, although they did not speak aloud, stroked their mustaches and their lips formed the ejaculation, "Where, indeed ?" "We will tell you everything," said Cleggett.

And beginning with his purchase of the Jasper B.he recounted rapidly, but with sufficient detail, all the facts with which the reader is already familiar, weaving into his story the tale of Lady Agatha and the adventures of Miss Pringle.

Wilton Barnstable listened attentively.

So did Barton Ward and Watson Bard.