Stuart felt sure that Grady's attack on Jefferson had been made without the old man's knowledge. The servant, seeing that the automobile had not fallen into the river, had taken it upon himself to supply the required death.
Whatever the old man's plan might be, it would not culminate until Grady's return.
Perhaps some break might come in Stuart's favor.
The old man was back, now, and his insistent voice was returning to his previous questioning.
"You have the papers with you?"
The words gave Stuart an inspiration. There was something that the old man wanted as well as Powell's life — namely, papers that Powell was bringing here!
How the old man had intended to get them with Powell's car in the river was beyond Stuart's knowledge. But he did realize, most emphatically, that Powell without the papers would be in a better situation than Powell with them.
The question came again; and Stuart replied, groggily, but truthfully:
"I didn't bring — any papers!"
"You don't have the papers?" The question showed the old man's consternation. "What good is the visit without them? How do you expect me to believe what you may have to say?"