“Yes, much. But the first and most important thing to be done is to keep perfectly silent regarding our suspicions, so that she may not be put upon her guard. The next thing is to engage the services of two or three experienced detectives, but that will be expensive.”
Malcolm’s face clouded at the remembrance of his limited resources.
But Eudora placed her roll of bank-notes in the lawyer’s hands, and said:
“Pray take from that parcel as much as may be needed for this service, and hand over the remainder to Mr. Montrose.”
The lawyer drew out two fifty pound notes, and handed the balance to the astonished Malcolm.
As that was not the proper time to tell the story of this mysterious loan, Eudora merely looked at Malcolm and smiled, for now she could smile, as the presence of the lawyer who came to defend her cheered her spirits and raised her hopes, even as the face of the physician who appears to cure animates and revives the sinking and dying patient.
The consultation was continued a little longer, and then the lawyer gathered up his documents and withdrew to prepare his defence.
On taking leave, Malcolm found an opportunity of lingering behind for a moment to look the question that he would not ask.
“Yes, the money was brought me by Alma Elverton, whom you must have noticed here as you came in, though she immediately lowered her veil, and withdrew,” said Eudora, replying to this mute inquiry just as directly as though it had been made in words.
“I noticed a lady pass out, but did not recognize her as Miss Elverton. And so it was Alma who lent us the money?”