Dr. Maclean sat down, and he noticed that Mr. Toogood’s round, genial face was set in hard lines. The two men often had occasion to meet, and sometimes on disagreeable business, but the doctor had never seen the lawyer look as he looked now.
At last the doctor muttered: “I don’t know what to think, Toogood. Perhaps I’ve been lucky—but in the course of my long practice I’ve never even suspected the secret administration of poison.”
“I can’t say the same. I think you’d be surprised if you knew how often I’ve suspected—perhaps I ought to say half suspected—murder! In our line of country the longing for money is the thing that leads to crime.”
“There was nothing of the sort in this case,” exclaimed the doctor. “Garlett had all the money he wanted.”
“I was going on to say,” observed the lawyer, significantly, “that next to money love is the most potent begetter of crime.”
Dr. Maclean remained silent, and the lawyer, fingering a ruler on his table, said musingly:
“Garlett was a very good-looking chap, yet he never seemed to care for women.”
Mr. Toogood unconsciously used the past tense, and Dr. Maclean, noticing that he had done so, felt a slight shock.
He leaned forward: “D’you think Garlett in real danger, Toogood? I want you to tell me the truth, for it’s of terrible moment to us—because of our niece.”
A change came over the lawyer’s face. “It is indeed!” he exclaimed.