"Had our cousin any enemies that you know of?"
Mr. Whitney turned a keen, penetrating glance upon Mr. Thornton for an instant, and the latter continued,—
"I thought it possible that in his business relations he might have incurred the enmity of some one of whom you knew."
"No," the attorney answered, quickly, "I am not aware of anything of that nature. Mr. Mainwaring made few intimate friends, but he was universally respected by all who knew him. If he had any enemies," he added, very slowly, "they were within his own household."
Ralph Mainwaring looked sharply at the attorney, but Mr. Thornton exclaimed,—
"'Egad! sir, but you surely do not think this deed was committed by any one of the inmates of this house?"
"As I have already said," replied Mr. Whitney, "I am not prepared to state what I do think without further knowledge of the facts in the case."
"Of course we understand that," rejoined Mr. Mainwaring; "but we desire to have the benefit of your opinions and judgment regarding this case so soon as you do feel justified in expressing them, and, since you are vastly more familiar with the circumstances surrounding it than we, we wish to rely on your suggestions in this matter."
The attorney bowed. "My advice for the present would be to take care that no one leaves the premises, and that you also send for Mrs. LaGrange; I wish to see her," he said briefly, and passed into the library.
Ralph Mainwaring beckoned to the butler; who was standing at a little distance, awaiting orders.