So Abraham the faithful grinned, and slipping his half-a-crown into his pocket, retired, while Fanks went outside, where he found Judith seated in her carriage and Roger talking to her.
"It is as I thought," said Octavius, anticipating their questions; "the postman told me he delivered the packet to Judas."
Judith uttered an exclamation of horror, upon hearing which the detective glanced sharply at her.
"Are you afraid of Judas seeing those letters?" he asked, quickly.
Miss Varlins passed her handkerchief across her dry lips, and after a pause answered with great deliberation, showing thereby how strong was her self-control.
"I don't know anything of the man," she said, quickly, "beyond that he was a friend of Mr. Melstane; but that in itself is sufficient to make me anxious. The letters contain nothing more than the usual romantic nonsense a girl would write. At the same time, knowing this Frenchman to be, as I verily believe, an unscrupulous wretch, I am afraid he may use the letters for his own ends."
"But what can he gain by showing them," said Fanks, sagaciously, "seeing they contain nothing of importance?"
He spoke with such pointed significance and emphasis that Judith, fiery-tempered by nature, flashed out suddenly with great spirit.
"I don't know how much Mr. Axton has told you, sir, but I question your right to speak to me in this manner."
"Oh, Fanks doesn't mean anything," interposed Roger, unthinkingly.