They all finished reading the letter about the same time. Mr. Jarvis' bewilderment grew deeper and deeper.
"This is the most extraordinary document I ever read in my life!" he exclaimed. "Why, it seems as though he had gone away somewhere of his own accord. After all, it can't be an accident, or anything of that sort."
Neither Arnold nor Mrs. Weatherley made any immediate reply. She pointed to the letter.
"When did he write this?" she asked.
"Last Thursday," Arnold replied; "less than a week ago."
She sighed softly.
"Really, it is most mysterious," she said. "I wonder whether he can have gone out of his mind suddenly, or anything of that sort."
"I have never," Mr. Jarvis declared, "known Mr. Weatherley to display so much acumen and zest in business as during the last few days. Some of his transactions have been most profitable. Every one in the place has remarked upon it."
Mrs. Weatherley took up the lace parasol which she had laid upon the office table.
"It is all most bewildering," she pronounced. "I think that it is no use my staying here any longer. I will leave you two to talk of it together. You have doubtless much business to arrange."