Page:The Millbank Case - 1905 - Eldridge.djvu/282

 He then began to carry them about with him, and the interests involved, which had rested quiet since your husband's loss, and especially since his death, became disturbed again and active."

"Then it must be the Matthewsons or Hunters who murdered him," exclaimed the woman, under a sudden breaking in of light.

"It would seem a fair conclusion," answered Trafford; "and yet I have evidence that satisfies me that they did not murder him and do not know who did. I don't mean to say that they wouldn't have done it finally; but they didn't this time, and are not only puzzled, but much disturbed, over the mystery of the murder. We have gone so far on this matter that I can tell you in a word why they are disturbed. Whoever murdered him took the papers, and they are alarmed as to where they'll turn up next."

Mrs. Parlin had by the act of telling her story recovered her self-control and power to think, and saw as clearly as Trafford the meaning of this uncertainty.

"But who," she asked, "could have done it, if they did not?"