It was quite lengthy.
Harry noticed that the old detective read certain parts of it over twice.
Folding it up and putting it in his pocket, at last the old detective turned to Ed.
"Are you much attached to Miss Ethel, my boy?" he asked.
"Why, sure—she's my sister," he replied quickly.
"I want the truth," said Old King Brady. "Certain points in your father's letter require me to ask the question. Be frank and honest now. You were constantly quarreling, were you not?"
"Sometimes we quarreled—yes. Ethel was rather hard on me."
"In other words, if she were not your sister you would not be in the least attached to her?"
Ed nodded, looking surprised.
"Well, I will say then for your benefit that the girl is no relation whatever to you. Your mother, as you are aware, is your father's second wife. You have always supposed Ethel to be your half sister, but she isn't even that. She is the daughter of Mr. Rawson, your mother's first husband by a previous marriage."