"What's he got to do with your trouble?"
"Much."
"I think Stephanie has about forgotten him, and, frankly, if you want to marry her--well, I had other views for her, but I don't see why you shouldn't," was the old man's surprising answer.
"There may be reasons to the contrary of which you know nothing, Mr. Maynard."
"What are they? Why all this beating around the bush?"
"You've thought hardly of Beekman because he disappeared on his wedding day."
"Yes."
"I was the cause of it."
"Good God! Did you murder him?"
"I'm afraid so."