The impulse of his heart was that the girl did not have any guilty knowledge of the singular crime, but he would not listen to its promptings when they were opposed to his reason. He finally said to himself: “Does she not speak this way for a purpose? Let me see. If she was really concerned in the affair would she not come here this morning so early to put in her claim? Of course. Pretending surprise at hearing of Mr. Field’s death, would it not be a good card for her to play to say, that under the circumstances she would not make any effort to prove her claim? Of course, again, for she would be aware that as the gentleman had no other heirs, one must be found, or let the property go to the State; at which juncture she would come forward again and step into possession with little if any opposition. According to this showing her purpose here this morning is only to show herself and put in a claim in due season, that she may have witnesses afterward.” And thus concluding, his lips set themselves tightly together. Come what might, he no longer had any sympathy for the girl who was, and would continue in his eyes to be, an impostor endeavoring to profit by the crime committed against Mr. Field. To further plans of his own, he thought it best to try to make the girl look upon him as a friend, and he kindly said: “My dear, you are very young and perhaps not so well qualified to judge what is for your best interests as one who has upon him the weight of a greater number of years. If I can give you any advice you are at liberty to call upon me for it.” “I thank you, but I do not believe that I am in need of advice. I have for so long been compelled to depend upon myself that I have grown accustomed to thinking and acting on my own judgment.” “Very well. I do not wish to press my advice upon you and will say no more. Still, I think that you would be doing yourself a service to show the letter you say you received from Mr. Field.” “Why so?” “There are a number of reasons.” “Name one.” “Mr. Field having been murdered, the singular circumstance of your appearing here to claim relationship the next morning, may tend to throw suspicion on yourself as having had a part in it or having guilty knowledge of it.” The girl’s face paled slightly. In a voice that was a trifle unsteady, she said: “That is absurd.” “That may be, but facts are facts, and appearances are sometimes so strong that men have been hung on them.” “I know nothing of his murder.” “I do not suppose for a minute that you do; still, others may think differently.” “Grant that they do, it does not concern me. They could not prove that I knew anything about the murder.” “You cannot be so sure of that. Why, if you only knew it, I could offer evidence, based on this interview, that would be most damaging.” “How so?”