"It was a shock. No wonder," said Strause. "You know, of course, what a lucky chap you are? Ten thousand pounds to the good! It is worth having a small shock in such a cause."
Keith did not reply.
"Are you dumb, man?" said Strause, in some annoyance. "You have heard of the legacy?"
"I have. I wish in all conscience that he had not done it."
"Gammon!" was Strause's rude remark.
Keith flushed, and walked to the window. He wished that Strause would leave him. Strause, however, had no intention of doing so.
"There's something I want to say to you," he remarked now, pulling a chair forward, dropping into it, and lowering his voice. "I did not like to tell you before. At present the fact is known only to myself. Whether it goes further remains with you."
"What do you mean?"
"I will explain. Keith, an ugly thing happened in connection with Percy Aylmer's death."
Keith drew himself up very stiffly. He looked full at the major.