“I hope,” he went on, “that my handling of the very distressing and delicate matter that brought me here last June won your confidence to such an extent—”
He paused, watching her narrowly for any sign of dissent.
“I appreciated that, Mr. Harlowe; it was very considerate of you to come to me as you did.”
“I didn’t report on that case further, feeling that it might embarrass you, assuming that the whole matter was strictly between ourselves.”
“Quite so,” she agreed.
“I was distressed that after all our interest, and your own generosity, we could not save your unfortunate brother. Still, it’s something that we were able to secure what was a light sentence—taking everything into consideration. Only circumstantial evidence, to be sure, but it pointed very strongly to his guilt. You doubtless read the result in the papers?”
“Yes, I followed the case,” she answered. “And I’m sure you did the best you could.”
His solemnity would have been amusing at any other time. He clearly had no idea that she had learned of his duplicity in taking money from her for the defense of a Corrigan who was in no manner related to her.
“I assume,” he said, “that no steps have yet been taken to offer for probate any will Mr. Farley may have left. I had hoped to see you first; this accounts for my visit to-day. I thought it best to see you before going to Mr. Thurston. Mr. Joseph C. Thurston was, I believe, Mr. Farley’s attorney?”
“Yes. He was one of papa’s best friends and he had charge of his affairs as far back as I can remember.”