Dr. Ringwood turned aside to hide his smile at this revelation of the drysalter's soul.
“By the way, who gets that money now?” Sir Clinton inquired.
“I do, sir. And I hope I'll put it to better use.”
Sir Clinton nodded in response to this sentiment, and seemed to ponder before he asked his next question.
“I suppose you can't think of anyone who might have had a grudge against him?”
The old man's glance showed some suspicion at the question; but his sister seemed to have less compunction, for she answered instead.
“I warned Ronald again and again that he was playing with fire. Mr. Silverdale never took any open offence, but . . .”
She left her sentence unfinished. Sir Clinton seemed less impressed than she had expected. He made no comment on her statement.
“Then I take it, Mr. Hassendean, that you can throw no light on the affair, beyond what you have told us?”
The old man seemed to think that he had given quite enough information, for he merely answered with a non-committal gesture.