"Perhaps not; but he said if he got it--that was before he read the story--he would give it back to you." "I don't want it. If he does, I shall only forward it to the proper quarter. Strictly speaking, it should be given to the Rao of Kikat." "There is no Rao now. Don't you remember how Dr. Carson said that the kingdom was absorbed in the Empire? I think it will be best to ask Mr. Brock's advice--and, not only ask it, but take it." "Mr. Brock is an honourable man; he will agree with me that the money should be restored. I am half sorry we recovered it now." "I'm not," said Mallow, grimly. "At least, we have done Semberry out of his haul. But I'll see Brock." "Laurence, do you think Mr. Brock knew of my father's wickedness?" "No; Carson explicitly says that Trall did not tell the Rao about either him or your father. When Singha got the papers, Brock was already on the road to Calcutta, and they were burnt before he returned. No; Brock did not know until he read Carson's story." "He would never have published it, as Dr. Carson wished." "No; that I'm sure he would not," said Mallow, warmly. "Carson was quite mistaken in his estimate of Brock's character. But, if Angus had lived, and you had refused to marry him, he might have held it over you as a threat." "But the envelope was sealed?" "Of course. Still, Angus knew the story as related there. Dr. Carson said that he told it to him. But things are square now. Carson is dead, with his story untold; the paper is burnt, and Mr. Brock will keep his own counsel for our sakes." "After we see Mr. Brock, dear, we will never talk of these things again," said Olive. "But there are one or two questions I feel I must ask him." With a sudden recollection of the cipher diary and its possible further revelations, Mallow withheld his approval. "Better let sleeping dogs lie, dear." "But I want to know more of my father's life at Kikat." "Don't, Olive, don't. What you do know has brought you nothing but unhappiness." "That's just it, Laurence. Nothing can make me more unhappy. I may as well know everything there is to know." "Well, as you please. But you must let me see Mr. Brock first." "Why; to warn him, I suppose?" "No, n-o-o. I think I ought to tell him of Angus Carson's death." "What good will that do?" "None, most likely. Still, I think he ought to know. I've always thought the motive for Carson's death was to be found in India." "There was nothing in the story to lead one to think so." "Nothing. But Mr. Brock may know something. At present he is under the impression that Boldini is the genuine Carson; but, when I tell him of the murder, and the whole conspiracy, it is possible he may recall some incident likely to throw light on what is now absolutely Cimmerian." "I doubt it, Laurence. Are you still so bent on getting to the bottom of this murder?"