“You say that you have never had a failure. That must, indeed, be encouraging,” Blaine remarked, tentatively. “Perhaps we might arrange later with you or Miss Lawton to place one or two of your clerks or stenographers. We are enlarging our offices––”
“Good morning!” a fresh young voice interrupted him, and Anita Lawton stood upon the threshold. “Did Mr. Banks come yet?––ah, yes, I see. How do you do?”
Blaine arose, and Anita gave him her hand cordially. His quick eyes observed that in passing she patted the shoulder of her secretary affectionately, and the girl looked up at her quickly, with eyes aglow. The truth was no longer concealed from his discernment. The girl was staunch in every fiber of her being.
“Miss Lawton, I am sorry, but I have really not any too much time this morning. If we could proceed to business at once.”
“Certainly. If you will come this way, Mr. Banks––” At the door she paused, and turned to the secretary: “I will see you later, dear.”
Anita led the detective swiftly through the wide, clean halls and up the stairs, explaining in clear, distinct tones the floor-plan. On the second floor she opened the door leading into a little ante-room at the front of the house just over the office, and when they were seated, she said quickly, with rising excitement, although her voice was carefully hushed.
“Mr. Bl––Banks, I have something to show you––my father’s will! It was discovered, or rather, produced, yesterday. The lawyers who have charge of the estate––Anderson & Wallace, you know––seem to me to be perfectly disinterested, and honest, but I am so hedged in on every hand by a stifling feeling of deceit and treachery that I feel I can trust no one save you and Mr. Hamilton––not even poor old Ellen, my maid, who has been with me since I was born!”
“I quite understand, Miss Lawton, and I realize how difficult the situation is for you, but I want you to trust 58 no one––at least, to the extent of giving them your confidence. Now about the will; it was produced by your late father’s attorneys?”
“No, by President Mallowe, of the Street Railways. It appears that Father left it in his charge. Mr. Anderson drew it; his partner, Mr. Wallace, witnessed it; and they both assure me that it is absolutely authentic. Here it is.”