"That," Batley answered with a curious smile, "is more than I can clearly tell you; and I might suggest that Lisle's venture is even harder to understand. I don't honestly think I owe Gladwyne anything; but, after all, we passed for friends, and I used to be fond of swimming. Of course, there's a more obvious explanation--I'd lent him a good deal of money and from what I've learned since, I may have some difficulty in enforcing my claim on the estate. It was natural that I should make an effort to recover the debt." Nasmyth did not think that the man had been most strongly influenced by that desire, but he addressed Crestwick: "Hadn't you better gather some more branches or driftwood for the fire, Jim?" Crestwick disappeared, and Nasmyth filled his pipe before he turned to Batley. "Now," he said, "I don't want to be offensive; but there are two people connected with this affair who must be spared any unnecessary suffering. That's a fact you had better recognize." "I hardly think you do me justice," returned Batley, looking amused. "It's perfectly plain that there's a mystery behind these recent events; one that has some relation to George Gladwyne's death. Your idea is that an unscrupulous person of my description might find some profit in probing it?" "You'll never learn the truth. I've seen to that." "The fact is, I don't mean to try." Nasmyth was a little astonished at finding himself ready to believe this. "Then," he asked, "what do you mean to do about your claim on Gladwyne?" "In the first place, there's the insurance; but I discovered by accident that the company Gladwyne had his policy on was the one that had insured his cousin. Whether they'll be struck by the coincidence and the unusual nature of both accidents and make trouble or not, I can't tell; but if they pay up there'll be an end of the thing. Failing that, I'll have to consider. My demands might be contested by the Gladwyne trustees--the deal was a little irregular in some respects--but I parted with the money and I'm going to make an effort to get it back." "How much did Clarence owe you?" Batley told him and Nasmyth looked thoughtful. "Well," he requested, "if you meet with strong opposition, come to me before you decide on any course, and I'll see what can be arranged. I dare say there'll be some trouble, but I know the trustees--and, as I said, there are people who must be saved all needless pain, at any cost." "It's promised," agreed Batley. "I'll make things as easy as possible, but that's as far as I can go. I'm not rich enough to be recklessly generous."