was to prove what had been inside the packet?  But if there had been papers, and it they were valueless except to the rightful owners, they would, perhaps, be sent back voluntarily; or after a time, say a year or two, they might be advertised for; not as if the owners were very anxious to get them, and not revealing the nature of the papers, but cautiously; and presently, if they had not been destroyed, the holders of the papers would answer the advertisement, and then a moderate reward might, after a while, be offered; and so on, giving excellent advice.  While he was speaking, Lala Roy entered the room in his noiseless manner, and took his accustomed chair.

“And what do you think, sir?” said Joseph, when he had finished.  “You have heard my advice.  You are not an Englishman, but I suppose you’ve got some intelligence.”

Lala bowed and spread his hands, but replied not.

“Your opinion should be asked,” Joseph went on, “because you see, as the only other person, besides my grandfather and my cousin, in the house, you might yourself be suspected.  Indeed,” he added, “I have no doubt you will be suspected.  When I talk over the conduct of the case, which will be my task, I suppose, it will, perhaps, be my duty to suspect you.”

Lala bowed again and again, spread his hands, but did not speak.

In fact, Joseph now perceived that he was having the conversation wholly to himself.  His grandfather sat passive, listening as one who, in a dream, hears voices but does not heed what they are saying, yet smiling politely.  Iris listened, but paid no heed.  She thought that a great deal of fuss was being made about papers, which, perhaps, were worth nothing.  And as for her inheritance, why, as she never expected to get any, she was not going to mourn the loss of what, perhaps, was worth nothing.

“Very well, then,” said Joseph, “that’s all I’ve got to say.  I’ve given you the best advice I can, and I suppose I may go.  Have you lost your voice, Iris?”

“No; but I think you had better go, Joseph.  My grandfather is not able to talk this morning, and I dare say your advice is very good, but we have other advisers.”

“As for you, Mr. Lala Roy, or whatever you call yourself,” said Joe roughly, “I’ve warned you.  Suspicion certainly will fall upon you, and what I say is—­take care.  For my own part I never did believe in niggers, and I wouldn’t have one in my house.”

Lala Roy bowed again and spread his fingers.

Then Joseph went away.  The door between the shop and the hall was half open, and he looked in.  A strange man was sitting in the outer shop, a pipe in his mouth, and James was leaning his head upon his hands, with wild and haggard eyes gazing straight before him.

“Poor devil,” murmured Joseph.  “I feel for him, I do indeed.  He had the key made—­for himself; he certainly let me use it once, but only once, and who’s to prove it?  And he’s had the opportunity every day of using it himself.  That’s very awkward, Foxy, my boy.  If I were Foxy, I should be in a funk, myself.”