And then, turning to the detective, he asked:
“Doesn’t that letter settle the matter?”
For reply, the detective simply said:
“Yes.”
Mentally, he added:
“Yes, it does settle the matter, although not in the way that Barnes thinks it does. I must make some excuse for retaining possession of this forged letter.”
CHAPTER XIX.
PROVING THE LETTER.
Satisfied that the urging of Barnes would result in Miss Doane’s remaining in the house, the detective went upstairs and into the library.
The two left behind were too much engrossed to remember that the detective had possession of the letter.