"A decided trap. I don't know how they intended at first to bring about his being accused of a crime, but chance threw Starth in Berry's way, and then they saw what to do. Your brother hated Lancaster, and was always quarrelling with him. It was not Frank's fault. Berry made as much trouble as he could, and Fan by flirting with your brother and then with Frank made matters worse. The affair culminated in the quarrel in the Piccadilly Theatre, in which Frank used rash words. Then the next day Walter wrote, asking Frank to call."
Mildred clasped her hands, and looked up nervously. "Was that a trap also, do you think?"
"Yes," said Eustace, decidedly. "Your brother was in the scheme to get the money. He knew that Lancaster would have to be hanged, so that it might come into Denham's possession and then into Berry's. I expect they promised him a share."
"But did they intend to give it to him?"
"No, they did not. Your brother was their dupe. Berry arranged that Starth should get Frank down to his place and drug him. Then when he was insensible a crime was to be committed and Frank was to bear the blame."
"Horrible! Horrible!" said Mildred, hiding her face. "And to think Walter should behave so. But who was to be killed?"
"Your brother," said Eustace. "Walter did not know who the victim was to be, and, after drugging Frank, waited for Berry. The rest of the scheme was to be carried on, as I believe, by Berry killing your brother, and then by Frank being accused. But Walter never thought that he would be the victim."
"Walter really drugged Frank?"
"Certainly. He put opium in his tea. When Frank was insensible he searched him for the letter asking him to call, as he wanted that evidence out of the way."
"But for what reason?"