on the mere evidence of circumstances, I should have no doubt,' said
Leonard, deliberately.

'Then it was he that you saw in the yard?'

'Remember, all I saw was that a man was there. I concluded it was
Andrews, waiting to take the horse; and as he is a great hanger-on of
Sam, I wished to avoid him, and not keep my candle alight to attract
his attention. That was the whole reason of my getting out of
window, and starting so soon; as unlucky a thing as I could have
done.'

'You are sure it was not Andrews?'

'Now I am. You see, Sam had sent home his horse from the station,
though I did not know it; and, if you remember, Andrews was shown to
have been at his father's long before. If he had been the man, he
could speak to the time my light was put out.'

'The putting out of your light must have been the signal for the deed
to be done.'

'My poor uncle! Well might he stare round as if he thought the walls
would betray him, and start at every chinking of that unhappy gold in
his helpless hands! If we had only known who was near--perhaps
behind the blinds--' and Leonard gasped.

'But this secrecy, Leonard, I cannot understand it. Do you mean that
the poor old man durst not do what he would with his own?'