“That is so,” Ida agreed. “He has done a number of other things that got him into difficulties, because he thought it right. That’s the kind of man he is. Then I understand he was out of work and feeling desperate when my father engaged him, he got promotion in his employment, and I asked him to see that Jake came to no harm. I don’t know if he kept his promise too conscientiously, and you can judge better than me. But I think you ought to read the letters your father gave him.”
She first put down Kenwardine’s statement about the theft of the plans, and Clare was conscious of overwhelming relief as she read it. Dick knew now that she was not the thief. Then Ida said: “If you will read the next, you will see that your father doesn’t feel much of a grievance against Brandon.”
The note was short, but Kenwardine stated clearly that if Clare wished to marry Brandon he would be satisfied and advised her to do so. The girl’s face flushed as she read and her hands trembled. Kenwardine certainly seemed to bear Dick no ill will. But since the latter had his formal consent, why had he not used it?
“Did Mr. Brandon send you with these letters?” she asked as calmly as she could.
“No, I brought them without telling him, because it seemed the best thing to do.”
“You knew what they said?”
“I did,” Ida admitted. “They were open.”
Clare noted her confession; but she must deal with matters of much greater importance.
“Then do you know why he kept the letters back?”
Ida hesitated. If Clare were not the girl she thought, she might, by appealing to her compassion, supply her with a reason for giving Dick up, but if this happened, it would be to his advantage in the end. Still she did not think she was mistaken and she must take the risk.