“Not in itself—but, oh, Eunice, I can’t explain it to you—or, at least, I don’t want to—but Sanford lent money to men—to his friends—who were in great exigency—who gave their choicest belongings, their treasures as security—and then—he had no leniency—no compassion for them—”
“Why should he have?”
“Because—well, there is a justice, that is almost criminal. Sanford was a—a Shylock! There, can you understand now?”
“Who were his debtors? Alvord?”
“Yes; Hendricks was one who owed him enormous sums—and he was going to make lots of trouble—I mean Sanford was—why, Eunice, in Sanford’s private safe are practically all of Hendricks’ stocks and bonds, put up as collateral. Sanford holds mortgages on all Hendricks’ belongings—real estate, furniture—everything. Now, just at the time Sanford died these notes were due—this indebtedness of Hendricks to Sanford had to be paid, and merely the fact of San’s death occurring just when it did saved Alvord from financial ruin.”
“Do you mean Sanford would have insisted on the payment?”
“Yes.”
“Then—oh, Mason I can’t say it—I wouldn’t breathe it to any one but you but could Alvord have killed Sanford?”
“Of course not, Eunice. He was in Boston, you know.”
“Yes, I know. But—Mason, he hinted to me just now, that that maybe you killed San.”