“I’d know that girl by the jewel about her neck,” said the thief.
“I don’t believe it,” stubbornly replied Benson.
“Nevertheless I am going to investigate this matter,” said Arkwright, “and if she is there you will be relieved of your burden in taking care of her fortune.”
Benson’s face darkened, as he was just beginning to think it time to apply to the court to make the money over to him as the next heir, but now there would be another delay. If this little fool of a convict had only come to him before going to the police there would have been a chance to silence the girl forever if it proved that she was living, but with Arkwright on the trail Benson would dare to do nothing.
“What are you going to do?” he asked tremblingly.
“Be there at the peep of day and arrest this Tom Cooper and place Helen Standish in your hands, as the law left you her guardian.”
Benson drew a long breath. What could he want more? His conscience troubled him so that he thought everybody knew of his evil intentions. He breathed again peacefully and said with a genial smile:
“You could not please me more than to bring my cousin to me, and I shall be glad to make a statement of her fortune to her.”
“We all know you have done your best, Mr. Benson,” said the detective, “and I hope that you will have many a happy day with your relation. You will go with me in the morning?”
“Yes, and I think I will have Mr. Nathans there to identify the sailor, as you know the goods were taken to his place to pawn.”