"That letter!" he exclaimed.
Lord Arranmore shrugged his shoulders.
"I scarcely see its significance," he said. "It is not even my word against Lacroix'. I sent you all your father's papers, I brought back photographs and keepsakes known to belong to him. In what possible way could it benefit me to mislead you?"
The telephone on Brooks' table rang, and for a moment or two he found himself, with mechanical self-possession, attending to some unimportant question. When he replaced the receiver Lord Arranmore had resumed his seat, but was drawing on his gloves.
"Come," he said, "let us resume our business talk. I have made you an offer. What have you to say?"
Brooks pointed to the waste-paper basket.
"I did a mean action," he said. "I am ashamed of it. Do you mean that your offer remains open?"
"Certainly," Lord Arranmore answered. "That little affair is not worth mentioning. I should probably have done the same."
"Well, I am not altogether a madman," Brooks declared, smiling, "so I will only say that I accept your offer gratefully—and I will do my very best to deserve your confidence."
Lord Arranmore rose and stood with his hands behind him, looking out of the window.