"Yes," he said, "that's all right, as far as it
goes."
"Humph! Well, I cal'late _I_ could make it go to the end of the route;
and then have enough left for a return ticket. Say!" with another look
at the solemn faces of the three, "what IS the row? If the estate is
wuth ha'f a million, what's the matter with it?"
"That is what we are here this morning to discuss, Captain. A month ago,
as I said, we considered our report practically ready. Then we suddenly
happened on the trail of something which, upon investigation, upset all
our calculations. If true, it threatened, not to mention its effect upon
the estate, to prove so distressing and painful to us, Rodgers Warren's
friends and legal advisers, that we decided not to alarm you, his
brother, by disclosing our suspicions until we were sure there was no
mistake. I did drop you a hint, you will remember--"
"I remember. NOW we're comin' to the rock!"
"Yes. Captain Warren, I think perhaps I ought to warn you that what my
partners and I are about to say will shock and hurt you. I, personally,
knew your brother well and respected him as an honorable business man. A
lawyer learns not to put too much trust in human nature, but, I confess,
this--this--"
He was evidently greatly disturbed.
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