"There are others," sniffed Miss Mary."Why don't you ask the colonel - or Captain Poland?""Captain Poland !" exclaimed Viola, startled."Yes.He helped us out in the matter of the bank when more collateral was asked for, and he'll be glad to go over the affairs with us, I'm sure.""I don't want him to!" snapped Viola."Mr.Blossom is the proper one to do that.He is the chief clerk, and since he was going to form a partnership with father he will, most likely, know all the details.We'll havehim up here and ask him how matters stand.""Perhaps that will be wise," agreed Miss Carwell."But I can't forget how careless LeGrand Blossom was in the matter of the loan your father had from the bank.If he's that careless, his word won't be worth much, I'm afraid." "Oh, any one is likely to make a mistake," said Viola."I'll telephone to Mr.Blossom and ask him to come here and have a talk with us.It will give me something to think about.Besides - "She did not finish, but went to the instrument and was soon talking to the chief clerk in the office Mr.Carwell maintained while at his summer home.
"He'll be up within an hour," Viola reported."Now I'm going to have a talk with the colonel," and she hastened to the library.
The old detective was smoking a cigar, which he hastened to lay aside when Viola made her entrance, but she raised a restraining hand.
"Smoke as much as you like," she said."I am used to it." "Thank you," and he pulled forward a chair for her.
"Oh, haven't you found out anything yet?" she burst out."Can't you say anything definite?"Colonel Ashley shook his head in negation.
"I'm sorry," he said softly."I'm just as sorry about it as you are.But I have seldom had a case in which there were so many clews that lead into blind allies.I was just trying to arrange a plan of procedure that I thought might lead to something.""Can you?" she asked eagerly.
"I haven't finished yet.What I need most is a book on poisons-a comprehensive chemistry would do, but I haven't been able to find one around here," and he glanced at the books lining the library walls."Your father didn't go in for that sort of thing.""No.But can't you send to New York for one?""I suppose I could - yes.I wonder if they might have one in the local library?""I'm sure I don't know," and Viola leaned over to pick a thread from the carpet."I don't draw books from there.When it was first opened I took out a card, but when I saw how unclean some of the volumes were Inever afterward patronized the place."
"Then you wouldn't know whether they had a book on poisons, or poison plants or not?""I wouldn't in the least," she answered, as she arose."As I said, I don't believe I have been in the place more than twice, and that was two years ago.""Then I'll have to inquire myself," said the colonel, and he remained standing while Viola left the room.And for some little time he stood looking at the door as it closed after her.And on Colonel Ashley's face there was a peculiar look.
LeGrand Blossom came to The Haven bearing a bundle of books and papers, and with rather a wry face - for he had no heart for business of this nature.Miss Mary Carwell sat down at the table with him and Viola.
"We want to know just where we stand financially," said Viola."What is the condition of my father's affairs, Mr.Blossom?"The confidential clerk hesitated a moment before answering.Then he said slowly:
"Well, the affairs are anything but good.There is a great deal of money gone, and some of the securities left are pledged for loans.""You mean my father spent a lot of money just before he died?" asked Viola.
