“Miss Langdon may have feared a refusal. Suppose we take up the lost codicil....”
“Marjorie Langdon did not benefit by its disappearance.”
“No, but a friend stands to do so—a man with whom, according to Admiral Lawrence, Miss Langdon was infatuated. The inheritance of one hundred thousand dollars would permit them to marry....”
“Supposing she really is in love with him?”
“Have you reason to doubt it?”
Duncan did not answer immediately. “I cannot believe Marjorie is the type of girl to commit theft, or to center her affections on a man who is not worthy of her.”
“Do you know anything against him?”
“N—no; but Mrs. Lawrence found it necessary to disinherit Barnard.”
“Did the Admiral give you the reason for his wife’s act?”
“She said she was angry at some investments made for her by Barnard which had turned out disastrously.”