uld accrue to Sylvia from a disclosure
of his suspicion that he had borne the letter to her grandfather. Mrs.
Owen had given him the letter that he might be in a position to protect
Sylvia, and there was nothing incompatible between this confidence and
his duty to Fitch, who continued to be a kind and helpful friend. He
dreaded the outcome of an interview between this shrewd, penetrating,
and indomitable woman and the lawyer. The letter, cold and colorless in
what it failed to say, and torn half across to mark the indecision of
the old professor, had in it a great power for mischief.

While Harwood's mind was busy with these reflections he had been
acquiescing in various speculations in which Mrs. Owen had been
indulging, without really being conscious of their import.

"I don't know that any good can come of keeping the letter, Daniel. I
reckon we might as well tear it up. You and I know what it is, and I've
been studying it for a couple of days without seeing where any good can
come of holding it. You might burn it in the grate there and we'll both
know it's out of the way. I guess that person feels that he done his
whole duty in making the offer and he won't be likely to bother any
more. That conscience was a long time getting waked up, and having done
that much it probably went to sleep again. There's nothing sleeps as
sound as a conscience, I reckon, and I shouldn't be a bit surprised if
mine took a nap occasionally. Better burn that little document, Daniel,
and we'll be rid of it and try to forget it."

"No; I don't believe I'd do that," he said slowly. "It might be better
to hold on to it, at least until the estate is closed up. You can't tell
what's behind it." And then, groping for a plausible reason, he added:
"The author of the letter may be in a position to annoy Sylvia by filing
a claim against the Professor's estate, or something of that kind. It's
better not to destroy the only thing we have that might help if that
should occur. I believe it's best to hold on to it till the estate's
settled."

This was pretty lame, as he realized, but his caution pleased her, and
she acquiesced. She was anxious to leave no ground for anyone to rob
Sylvia of her money, and if there was any remote possibility that the
letter might add to the girl's security she was willing that it should
be retained. She sent Dan out into the bank for an envelope, and when it
was brought, sealed up the letter and addressed it to Dan in h