“Then shouldn’t it put you on your guard, and make you test his statements? Is it wise to let them influence you before they’re confirmed?”
“It was foolish of me to be impressed; but still——”
Gertrude checked him.
“With us suspicion is a duty. Try to think! Cyril had his failings, but you were harsh to him. You showed him no pity; you drove him out.”
“It’s true,” admitted Jernyngham in a hoarse voice. “I’ve regretted it deeply.”
She knew she had not appealed in vain to her father’s grief and she meant to work upon his desire for retribution.
“Cyril came here and fell into Prescott’s hands. Instead of his meeting Colston, the rancher personated him. He was the last man to see him; he knew where he had hidden his money; soon afterward he bought a costly machine.”
“I know all this,” said Jernyngham wearily.
“There seems to be some danger of your forgetting it! Let me go on! Prescott took over control of Cyril’s farm. He passed himself off for him a second time and sold land of his; you found the clothes he wore hidden near his house. Could you have any proofs more conclusive?”
Jernyngham flung her a swift glance.