“You mean to say,” said Mr. Verinder, frowning, “that if I know this man intends to abduct my daughter—”
“Oh, you can hardly call it that, I think,” said Mr. Williams; and he moved towards his book-shelves, as if with the intention of taking out the letter A and looking up the article entitled Abduction. But then he was mechanically checked by something already in his mind. “By the way, Miss Verinder herself has been here.”
“She has, has she? What for?”
“To ask about her securities. She wants all papers sent to her bank. She said she would discontinue our arrangements, you know, and henceforth manage her affairs herself. She brought her maid with her, and they took some papers I gave her then and there straight on to the bank, I believe.”
Mr. Verinder thought that this was very significant. He said it suggested premeditated defiance and rebellion.
The solicitor said, smiling mildly, that she had not the air of “a rebel.” No, she had seemed “very quiet and sensible,” and he somehow implied that he would like to venture to add “very good-looking, too.”
In conclusion, Mr. Verinder asked, “Would you advise me to have her watched by detectives?”
“Oh, surely not? What could be gained by that?”
“It is her mother’s suggestion. At least we should then know her movements—and perhaps some of his. He alleges that he means soon to sail for South America. Of course, if one knew for certain that he was out of the country! If we did do it, could you arrange it for us?”
Mr. Williams said yes, if really necessary; but he must own that this class of thing was not in his line, or in the line of the firm.