And somehow Ralph looked down into that upturned little face, and he could not say "no."
"It is very good of you, sir," he murmured, to Mr. St. Clive, "especially after what Lord Elgert said——"
"My lad, do not be so sensitive concerning that."
"But I cannot help it, sir. He first called my father a thief; and he—he—you know what he said about your silver?"
And Ralph turned very red.
Mr. St. Clive understood, and sympathized. He liked Ralph all the better for being keenly sensitive about it.
"There, let it go, my dear boy. Now, once more, business. Have you any luggage, save these two handbags?"
"In London, sir. Two great trunks. Father left them at the station. Here are the papers for them." And the boy took a railway luggage receipt from his pocket-book.
"This is important. We may find something to help us in those trunks," cried Mr. St. Clive. "Of course, I am not legally justified in touching them, Ralph; but, under the circumstances, I think that I might do so. We must have them here, and examine their contents. We may then discover what brought your father to Stow Ormond; and that, in its turn, might give us some clue as to what may have happened."
"I do not think there is much doubt as to what has happened," sighed the boy. But Mr. St. Clive would not listen to that.