"That is just it," interrupted Tait vivaciously. "I can't see his motive, but I will find it out some day."
"Well, you can speak for yourself," said Claude, frowning. "After what my mother has told me, I believe Hilliston to be an upright and honorable man."
"You are quite right to do so on the evidence. Still, if I were you I would not keep him informed of all our movements, unless----Do you intend to go on with the matter?" he asked abruptly.
"Assuredly! I am determined to find out who killed my father."
Tait walked to the fireplace and took up his position on the hearth-rug. An idea had entered his mind, which he did not intend to put into words. Nevertheless it was indirectly the reason for his next speech.
"I think, after all, it would be best to take Hilliston's advice, and let sleeping dogs lie."
He had not calculated the effect of these words on his hearer, for Claude also arose from his chair, and looked at him with angry surprise.
"I don't understand you," he said coldly. "Some hours back, and you were more eager than I to pursue this unknown criminal. Now you wish to withdraw. May I ask the reason of this sudden change."
"It seems to be useless to hope to find the assassin," replied Tait, shrugging his shoulders. "One cannot discover a needle in a haystack."
"Well, even that would be easier than to hope to solve a mystery which has been impenetrable for five-and-twenty years."
"It has been impenetrable for that time because no one has tried to solve it. This is not your real reason for wishing to end the case. What is your reason? Speak! I insist upon knowing the truth."
The other did not reply, but thrust his hands deeper into his pockets, and maintained a masterly silence. Irritated by this negative attitude, Claude placed his hands on the little man's shoulders and looked at him indignantly.
"I know what your reason is, Tait," he said rapidly; "it is not that you fear we may learn too little, but that you expect we will learn too much."
"Yes," replied Tait simply, "that is the reason. Is it not an all-sufficient one for you to pause?"
"No!" shouted Claude savagely; "it is all-sufficient for me to go on. You think that I may discover that Hilliston is the criminal, or learn that my mother is accountable for the crime. I tell you no such thing will happen. Hilliston was not near The Laurels on the fatal morning. My mother--I have told you how she exonerated herself, and the exoneration was substantiated by Denis Bantry. Both are innocent."