"Just as well," asserted Beryl, quickly.
"You don't think he can have escaped?"
Julius started. "What makes you think so?" he demanded uneasily.
"Well, you see, Bernard was a good swimmer, and—"
"The best swimmer in the world could do nothing against the current of the Thames on a foggy night. On a fine day I dare say he might have gained the opposite bank, but in the fog he must have circled round and round until he was exhausted."
"Yet, his clothes were discovered on the bank," persisted Durham. "I wonder if I offered a reward, would anything be discovered?"
"His corpse might," said Beryl, unpleasantly, "but no reward shall be offered. Better let sleeping dogs lie."
"But surely, Mr. Beryl, if you inherit the property, you will seek for the poor fellow's dead body?"
"No," replied Julius decisively. "I think it is best to leave things alone. Bernard committed a vile act, and if his body has been swept out to sea all the better for his memory and the position of the family. I shall offer no reward."
Durham, seeing the young man was absolutely certain of his inheritance, and that he was prepared to act in a most niggardly spirit, looked out of the window to hide a smile. "Poor Sir Bernard," he said.