“I will think about it. This point may be worthy of special attention. But say nothing about this, or any other feature of the case, to any living person. Keep your mouth resolutely closed against all ears but mine.”
Carlos promised to observe this caution.
“And now,” said Mr. Royalton, “listen. First, for fear that my words may discourage you, let me declare my belief in your innocence, and assure you that not an effort shall be left unmade in your behalf. But the case has a bad look. Colonel Conrad received thirty thousand dollars in gold, yesterday, and that cannot be found. Leonard Lester is missing, and people have jumped at the conclusion that he is your accomplice, and that his fishing excursion was a ruse, and that he has made off with the gold to some point where you intend to join him.”
“Good Heaven!” ejaculated Carlos. “You do not believe this?”
“Certainly not. But you see again the importance of your cousin being here.”
“Yes. I am at a loss to think what can have delayed his return.”
“We will hope that he will appear in due time. And now you must put yourself entirely in my hands. You see what a coloring circumstantial evidence can give an affair. Your own consciousness of innocence will go for naught against it. Everything depends on shrewd management and careful working. I must now leave you and study over my plans. As for yourself, be ready at the examination to follow whatever course I may indicate. I will now say to you, confidentially, that I believe this murder was committed with some other object than that of robbery—that there is some dark unknown purpose at the bottom of it. If you ask me why, I must decline to tell. Perhaps I could not reply in terms sufficiently definite to be satisfactory and convincing to you.”
“I leave everything to you,” said Carlos.
“That is right. Good-day.”
“Good-day.”