Kennedy's brow creased in a frown -- more thoughtful than perturbed or worried -- and he directed his gaze to the gentleman. At second glance, he recognized him better. Kate's note of warning had been ultimately useless, however Archie's interest had been piqued by the two unfamiliar names. A brief search of a modern encyclopedia had told him all he should want to know about Jack the Ripper and figuring out which face among the many island resident's belonged to one Druitt had been relatively just as simple.

Not that it meant a damn thing in this scenario. Not that most of what Kate said meant a damn thing. People disappeared from the island all the time, more often than not through the machinations of the island as opposed to the plots of men. Her evidence was weak and highly circumstantial, and any knowledge of Druitt's actions before coming to the island could not be held against him here.

But surely she knew this. Troublesome Miss Freelander was, but Archie had not pegged her as particularly slow witted.

"Miss Freelander makes a serious allegation against you, sir," he said, keeping his tone even. "Do you have anything to say for yourself?"