ARTHUR
28

The letter was placed on the table, and soon he who was sitting there raised his eyes and glanced at the writing on it. He barely spoke on whispers; but his words, however, could be clearly distinguished. I don't remember her voice, but her words evoke a series of memories.

"Lo!" he said haphazardly, "this is from Nabob !"

A very small incident like this was enough to open up a vast meditation scene. This little word, half whispering in a thoughtless mood, was the key to opening the vast secret cabinet. Thetford probably didn't care if his exclamation sounded. Little did he think about the conclusion that would be built on it.

"Nhabaob!" By this designation someone has been appointed in the dialogue room to which I have become an unexpected auditor. The man who pretended to be poor, yet gave proof of infinite wealth; who was forgiven for deceiving thirty thousand dollars; first, the, for the loss of that amount would be trivial to a man of great wealth; and, second, because he conceivably acquired this luxury in a way other than an honest method. Instead of immediately returning home, I wandered into the fields, to indulge in the new thoughts produced by this incident.

I have no doubt that the person being offended is my protector. No new light is cast upon his character; unless something is deductible from vaguely made accusations, that his wealth is the fruit of forbidden practice. He was luxurious, and the source of his wealth was unknown, if not to the whole community, at least to Thetford. But here is a plot laid out. The Thetford brother's fortune was increased from the success of intelligence that made Welbeck his victim. To detect and counter this plan is definitely my job. My disturbance now may indeed be too late to be useful; but this should at least be confirmed by experimentation.

This uncertainty is only momentary. It is enough that Welbeck was appointed by this designation, and therefore he proved to be the subject of some fraudulent process. The information I have is my job to communicate as quickly as possible. I decided to use the first opportunity offered for this purpose.

My meditation has been done vigorously, and, as I recall my attention, I find myself confused between fields and fences. It was too late before I broke away from the unknown path, and reached home.

I entered the living room; but Welbeck was not there. A table, with tea utensils for one person, had been prepared; from which I concluded that Welbeck was involved abroad. This belief is confirmed by the servant report. He couldn't tell me where his master was, but only that he shouldn't drink tea at home. This incident became a source of annoyance and impatience. I don't know, but the delay will be the best moment for my friend's safety. Not knowing me at all by the nature of his contract with Thetford, I could not decide whether an hour would be useless to avoid a crime that threatened him. Had I known where to trace his trail, I would have sought an interview immediately; but, as it were, I was forced to wait, with what patience I could muster, to return to his own home.

I waited for hours in vain. The sun set, and the shadow of dusk fell; but Welbeck was still in the distance.