The lawyer looked at Haywood sharply before replying. Then he said, slowly and distinctly:
“Colonel Conrad, the day before his death, requested the loan of a book containing forms and directions for making wills, and I sent such a book to him. I have had no word from him since.”
Haywood felt an inward thrill as he heard these words, but repressed any outward manifestation. He had obtainedthe information he was seeking, and proceeded at once to cover his tracks.
“You mistake what I am trying to get at, Mr. Tibbs,” he said. “I trust I am not so mercenary as to have any thought concerning his will thus early. I am thinking of the box of money he received. It cannot be found about the house, nor was it deposited in the bank, and I imagined that you might possibly know something concerning its disposal, as you have aided him in placing several of his investments.”
“I know nothing about the money,” replied Mr. Tibbs, coldly. “If I had, I should have appeared at the examination to testify in regard to it. Is it not supposed that the murderer or his accomplice made way with it?”
“Yes; such, I believe, is the supposition,” said Haywood, apologetically, “but the inquiry I have made suggested itself to my mind this morning, and—well, there certainly is no harm done. However, I will not detain you longer, Mr. Tibbs. Good-morning.”
“Good-morning,” returned the lawyer.
As Haywood left he congratulated himself on his shrewd management of the conversation; but Mr. Tibbs was not entirely blinded. He muttered to himself:
“I wonder what Haywood was driving at. His concern about the box of gold was a pretense to cover something else. Can it be the colonel’s will that he is worried about?”
And Mr. Tibbs resolved to be guarded and watchful toward Haywood.