"Do you recall the contents of the Syndic's letter?" he went on. "Perhaps you had better have the translation."
"I remember what he said in a general sort of way, but the translation might be a help," replied Gilbert.
"Well, here it is," said Eversleigh, drawing a folded sheet from a packet.
Gilbert read the translation rapidly, and asked—
"Did you ever answer the letter?"
"Not beyond sending a formal acknowledgment."
"The letter speaks of Silwood having left certain effects, which the Syndic says are in his possession; he asks you what is to be done with them."
"I know, I know," remarked Eversleigh. "Of course, if the circumstances had been normal, I should have attended to the Syndic's letter fully. But I was in no state to do so. The letter, you must remember, came on the day of the discovery of Morris Thornton's body—was, indeed, the immediate cause of the discovery. Before that—ever since Silwood's confession—I was too upset to give my mind to business properly, and since that I have been able to attend to nothing as it ought to be attended to."
And Eversleigh sighed painfully.
"I would not brood on that, sir," observed Gilbert.