“Bless you, no!” exclaimed Leonard. “They are as straight as a string. I am connected with that firm.”
“Let me see,” said Stark, opening a large book, consultingan index, and turning to a particular page. “Yes—Duncan & Mishler—Leonard Lester, European agent. Well, I guess, if you are connected with that firm, you can trust me. Go on with your story.”
“It must be confidential, and no steps must be taken without consulting me.”
“I agree to that.”
“And do you promise not to reveal my identity, or my presence in Boston?”
“I promise. But you are very cautious.”
“You will see that I have reason to be.”
Leonard thereupon narrated to Mr. Stark the journey of himself and Carlos to Dalton, of their visit, their interview with Colonel Conrad, his own excursion to Rocky Beach, the departure of Carlos in an opposite direction to attend a concert, the capture of himself by Snags, his subsequent experience in the cave, and his escape. He concluded by saying:
“My cousin is now doubtless in jail. The evidence would probably be sufficient to hold him for trial, whether it finally convicted him or not. Snags is the guilty man, though my evidence might not be sufficient to establish that. But he had some object other than robbery. This is proved by his anxiety in regard to the missing fragment of paper. He spoke of a ‘boss’ to whom both he and Roake were subordinate. Who this ‘boss’ is, is the mystery. He is undoubtedly the chief guilty party; for Snags and Roake are not the men to push smuggled goods on the market.”
“No, you are right there. And in regard to the murder, I agree with you in thinking that it was done for some motive that does not appear on the surface.”