"Well, you can speak for yourself," said Claude, frowning. "After what my mother has told me, I believe Hilliston to be an upright and honorable man."
"You are quite right to do so on the evidence. Still, if I were you I would not keep him informed of all our movements, unless——Do you intend to go on with the matter?" he asked abruptly.
"Assuredly! I am determined to find out who killed my father."
Tait walked to the fireplace and took up his position on the hearth-rug. An idea had entered his mind, which he did not intend to put into words. Nevertheless it was indirectly the reason for his next speech.
"I think, after all, it would be best to take Hilliston's advice, and let sleeping dogs lie."
He had not calculated the effect of these words on his hearer, for Claude also arose from his chair, and looked at him with angry surprise.
"I don't understand you," he said coldly. "Some hours back, and you were more eager than I to pursue this unknown criminal. Now you wish to withdraw. May I ask the reason of this sudden change."
"It seems to be useless to hope to find the assassin," replied Tait, shrugging his shoulders. "One cannot discover a needle in a haystack."
"Oh, yes you can—by patient research."
"Well, even that would be easier than to hope to solve a mystery which has been impenetrable for five-and-twenty years."