"It is a characteristic letter," said the lawyer. "Lord Harry was born
to be a trouble to his family. There has never been a time, so far as I
remember, when he was not a trouble and a disgrace. Hitherto, however,
he has avoided actual crime--at least, actual detection. Now, I
suppose, the game is up. Yet, gentlemen, the letter is not that of an
utter villain."
"He will not be caught," observed the Chairman. "The letter is from too
cool a hand. He has prepared a retreat. I dare say by this time he is
in some safe and convenient disguise. We are only concerned--are we
not?--for the moment with the lady. She has received the money from
you. We paid it to you on your representations."
"Observe," said the lawyer, "that the moment she learns the truth she
hastens to make restitution."
"Humph!" said the Director, turning over Lord Harry's letter so that
the lawyer should not be able to read the contents. "Have you seen
her?"
"I have not. I expect to do so before long. She will certainly call
upon me."
"She will be ill-advised," said the Chairman, "if she calls upon
anybody just at present. Well, sir, I confess that I should be
sorry--every member of this Board would be sorry--to see that lady
placed in the dock beside her husband."
"In the interests of the noble family concerned, I hope that neither of
them will be placed in the dock."
"Do you know who is the other man--the second principal?"
"I can guess. I do not know, however, where he is. All I know is what I
have communicated to you--the contents of this letter."
"One would like to get hold of the other man," said the Chairman.
"Presumably he does not belong to a noble family. Well, sir, I don't
know what may be done; but this Company cannot, I repeat, compound a
felony."
"Certainly not. Most certainly not. At present, however, you have got
very little to go upon. And unless evidence is forthcoming--"
"We will not discuss that part of the business," said the Chairman. "A
conspiracy has been undoubtedly entered into. We may be compelled to
bring an action of some kind against your firm, Mr. Erskine. As regards
the lady, if she is guilty--"
"No--no," said the lawyer, "upon my life! Sinned against--not guilty."