"I don't know. But let me have the letter."
He read in silence the paragraph which has been quoted in an earlier chapter. When he had finished he looked up.
"I am afraid," he said, gravely, "there is no doubt that Mr. Craven employed Colonel Sharpley to make away with me."
"Then he is a skunk, too!"
"Mr. Tarbox, I would not mind it so much but for one thing."
"What is that, Frank?"
"He is married to my mother. If he lays this plot for me, what will he do against her?"
"He will try to get hold of her money."
"I fear so, and if she resists I am afraid he will try to injure her."