"To be sure I do. I don't say that public commotion and officious people would not soon have brought it to the same issue; but, any way, Mrs. North has forestalled them." And he told Richard of madam's visit to him.
"You say you have been making some private inquiries," observed Richard.
Mr. Dale nodded.
"And what is your candid opinion? Tell me, Dale."
But the lawyer hesitated to say he feared Dr. Rane might have been guilty. Not only because it was an unpleasant assertion to make to Dr. Rane's brother-in-law, but also because he really had doubts as to whether it was so or not.
"I hold no decided opinion as yet," he said. "I may not be able to form one until the post-mortem examination has taken place----"
"You do not mean to say that they will--that they will disturb my sister!" interrupted Richard North, his eyes full of horror.
"Why, that's the first thing they will do--if the investigation goes on at all," cried the lawyer. "That's always the preliminary step in these cases. You are forgetting."
"I suppose I am," groaned Richard. "This has been a great shock to me. Dale, you cannot believe him guilty!"
"Well, I can't tell; and that's the fact," candidly avowed the lawyer. "There are certainly some suspicious circumstances attending the case: but at the same time, they are only what Dr. Rane may be able to explain satisfactorily away."