Depend upon it,
his action was of his own free will, and he had excellent reasons for
it. If he had wished you to know them he would have communicated with
you. Remember, I was with your father during his last days--and this is
my advice to you."
Brooks pointed downward to the crumpled ball of paper.
"That letter!" he exclaimed.
Lord Arranmore shrugged his shoulders.
"I scarcely see its significance," he said. "It is not even my word
against Lacroix'. I sent you all your father's papers, I brought back
photographs and keepsakes known to belong to him. In what possible way
could it benefit me to mislead you?"
The telephone on Brooks' table rang, and for a moment or two he found
himself, with mechanical self-possession, attending to some unimportant
question. When he replaced the receiver Lord Arranmore had resumed his
seat, but was drawing on his gloves.
"Come," he said, "let us resume our business talk. I have made you an
offer. What have you to say?"
Brooks pointed to the waste-paper basket.
"I did a mean action," he said. "I am ashamed of it. Do you mean that
your offer remains open?"
"Certainly," Lord Arranmore answered.
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