There was his commercial position! Was it possible that
money-loving Sir Joseph had any modification to propose in the matter
of his daughter's dowry? The bare dread that it might be so struck him
cold. He quitted the house--and forgot to wish Natalie goodnight.
Meanwhile, Launce had left the evening party before him--and Launce
also found matter for serious reflection presented to his mind before he
slept that night. In other words, he found, on reaching his lodgings,
a letter from his brother marked "private." Had the inquiry into the
secrets of Turlington's early life--now prolonged over some weeks--led
to positive results at last? Launce eagerly opened the letter. It
contained a Report and a Summary. He passed at once to the Summary, and
read these words:
"If you only want moral evidence to satisfy your own mind, your end is
gained. There is, morally, no doubt that Turlington and the sea-captain
who cast the foreign sailor overboard to drown are on e and the same
man. Legally, the matter is beset by difficulties, Turlington having
destroyed all provable connection between his present self and his past
life.
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