"
"What induced you to suspect me? Surely not the simple fact of being
alone for a few minutes with the letter in Galloway's office?"
"Not that. That alone would have been nothing; but, coupled with other
circumstances, it assumed a certain weight. Hamish, I will tell you. Do
you remember the trouble you were in at the time--owing money in the
town?"
A smile parted Hamish's lips; he seemed half inclined to make fun of
the reminiscence. "I remember it well enough. What of that?"
"You contrived to pay those debts, or partially pay them, at the exact
time the note was taken; and we knew you had no money of your own to do
it with. We saw you also with gold in your purse-through Annabel's
tricks, do you remember?--and we knew that it could not be
yours--legitimately yours, I mean."
Hamish's smile turned into a laugh. "Stop a bit, Arthur. The money with
which I paid up, and the gold you saw, _was_ mine; legitimately mine.
Don't speak so fast, old fellow."
"But where did it come from, Hamish?"
"It did not come from Galloway's office, and it did not drop from the
skies," laughed Hamish. "Never mind where else it came from. Arthur
boy, I wish you had been candid, and had given me a hint of your
suspicion."
"We were at cross purposes, as you observe," repeated Arthur. "Once
plunge into them, and there's no knowing when enlightenment will come;
perhaps never. But you were not very open with me.
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