And Mr. Andrews led the way to the farther end of the room, where they could discuss the matter without being overheard by anybody.
Arthur related the story of the missing letter once more, and then told the lawyer what had happened the evening they had met, and what Adrian had said by way of accusation, and also that he had disposed of the cheque.
"You mean to say that he took the cheque out of the letter, and then sent it on empty?" demanded Mr. Andrews.
"He didn't say so," answered Arthur. "What he said, as nearly as I can remember, was this: 'If I had the cheque, you had the letter!' But no letter came to us, so far as we can discover."
While he was speaking, Mr. Brading came into the room, and Mr. Andrews went to meet him.
"This is a nice state of things," said the lawyer, in a tone of vexation.
"I can assure you, I have had no hand in it," said Mr. Brading. "I would willingly give fifty pounds to have the matter satisfactorily cleared up, and I wrote a few days ago to Lady Mary Murray and told her I would bear the loss of the money, although I did not believe that the letter had ever reached us. Still, rather than have any more annoyance over the matter, I intended to let it drop and be forgotten, unless some further development in the future made it necessary to enquire further."
Mr. Brading sighed as he thought of all the worry and vexation this had already cost him, but he walked over and shook hands with Arthur. "You must keep up your courage, you know," he said heartily. "Circumstances may seem to be against you, but we shall get at the truth some day. By the way, it was a cheque Lady Mary received from you that was stolen!" suddenly exclaimed Mr. Brading. "Lady Mary told me all about it the last time she called. She says she could not find her own cheque-book just when she wanted it, and having received a cheque from you for five pounds, she endorsed it, enclosed it in the letter she had written, and gave it to her son to post!"
"Was there ever such a fool!" exclaimed the lawyer. "Why, she must know that her lad has been the town talk for months! Ever since that new billiard saloon has opened its doors, he has haunted the place. Morning, noon, and night, I am told, he might be seen there. Don't you think she must have known it? Where did she suppose he spent his time?" exclaimed the lawyer, in an exasperated tone.
"Well, it might be worse," said Mr. Brading. "For, being your cheque, there will be the less difficulty in tracing it," he continued soothingly.