Carlos read the few words again. He turned the paper over.
“It was written on the back of one of his old German letters. BUT HOLD! Here is something more!”
“More!”
“Yes—see! the signature is erased, and Leonard has written something in German!”
Mr. Royalton gave close attention.
Carlos translated the words into English as fast as he read them. Their sojourn in Europe had made the German language as familiar to the cousins as their own tongue.
“This is what Leonard says: ‘I have hit on a stratagem, which you will at once perceive, to give you a warning. Do not show the paper you took from Colonel Conrad’s hands. It will give the murderer information which he desires above all things to possess. Do not let the paper appear in the testimony.’”
“Well, well! This is a startling phase of affairs,” said Mr. Royalton. “It confirms my idea though, that the murderer of your cousin has a hand in the non-appearance of Leonard.”
“Yes,” replied Carlos, “but it makes the mystery more incomprehensible than ever. How dark everything looks.”
“One thing is settled,” said Mr. Royalton. “The existence of the paper must be kept secret. It is difficult to determine whether its exhibition would work for or against you at the examination. But this note makes our course plain. It shall not be shown unless future developments seem to make it desirable. It is now locked up in my private safe.”