Judith Richards.
Latimer and John Hale stared at each other.
“Let me see that letter,” the latter demanded, and he read it twice before handing it back to Latimer. “What do you make of it?”
Latimer laughed heartily. “Thank God I shan’t have to break any unpleasant news to her,” he exclaimed. “But the inconsistency of women! To come to me for advice and then get her husband to do exactly what I advised her not to.”
“What was your advice?”
“To use the bonds as collateral at a bank and not sell them.”
John Hale studied him in thoughtful silence for a minute.
“When did Richards bring the bonds here, Frank?” he asked. “Was it some time after Judith left?”
“No; come to think of it, he must have been in the outer office when Judith was talking to me,” responded Latimer, and his face grew grave once again.
“And Judith states”—John Hale picked up his niece’s letter—“‘I gave my Valve bonds to Joe to use as he saw fit and he tells me that he took the bonds to you—’ Did Judith mention to you where she had the bonds?”