“It seems that Sybil held some secret of the dead man’s, and yet was loyal to him throughout. I wonder what it was?”
“The fellow was an outsider, without a doubt. Sybil foolishly fell in love with him, and he sought to profit by it. He was an adventurer, most certainly. I don’t like that cipher. It’s suspicious,” I declared.
“Then you’ll keep all these things in your possession. Better seal them up and put them in your bank or somewhere safe.”
“Yes,” I said, “I’ll take them to my bank. At any rate, they’ll be put away from prying eyes there.”
“And how shall we face her?” Eric asked.
“How will she face us, that’s the question?” I said, in a low voice.
Then almost at the same moment we were both startled by hearing a low tapping upon my door.
Eric and I turned and looked inquiringly at each other.
“It’s Budd, your man, I expect,” he whispered. “He must not see me. Perhaps he’s heard of the affair and come to tell you. Look, I’ll get in there,” and springing across to a big old-fashioned oak wardrobe he slipped inside and I closed the door noiselessly.
Then, quick as thought, I swept up the letters and other articles upon the table, placed them in one of the drawers, and stood awaiting a further summons.