At length Falconer would sometimes leave him with Miss St. John, till he or I should go for him: he knew she could keep him safe. He knew that she would keep him if necessary.
One evening when I went to see Falconer, I found him alone. It was one of these occasions.
'I am very glad you have come, Gordon,' he said. 'I was wanting to see you. I have got things nearly ready now. Next month, or at latest, the one after, we shall sail; and I have some business with you which had better be arranged at once. No one knows what is going to happen. The man who believes the least in chance knows as little as the man who believes in it the most. My will is in the hands of Dobson. I have left you everything.'
I was dumb.
'Have you any objection?' he said, a little anxiously.
'Am I able to fulfil the conditions?' I faltered.
'I have burdened you with no conditions,' he returned. 'I don't believe in conditions. I know your heart and mind now. I trust you perfectly.'
'I am unworthy of it.'
'That is for me to judge.'
'Will you have no trustees?'