The Classic Mystery Collection - Arthur Conan Doyle [5876]
"No. But can't you send to New York for one?"
"I suppose I could - yes. I wonder if they might have one in the local library?"
"I'm sure I don't know," and Viola leaned over to pick a thread from the carpet. "I don't draw books from there. When it was first opened I took out a card, but when I saw how unclean some of the volumes were I never afterward patronized the place."
"Then you wouldn't know whether they had a book on poisons, or poison plants or not?"
"I wouldn't in the least," she answered, as she arose. "As I said, I don't believe I have been in the place more than twice, and that was two years ago."
"Then I'll have to inquire myself," said the colonel, and he remained standing while Viola left the room. And for some little time he stood looking at the door as it closed after her. And on Colonel Ashley's face there was a peculiar look.
LeGrand Blossom came to The Haven bearing a bundle of books and papers, and with rather a wry face - for he had no heart for business of this nature. Miss Mary Carwell sat down at the table with him and Viola.
"We want to know just where we stand financially," said Viola. "What is the condition of my father's affairs, Mr. Blossom?"
The confidential clerk hesitated a moment before answering. Then he said slowly:
"Well, the affairs are anything but good. There is a great deal of money gone, and some of the securities left are pledged for loans."
"You mean my father spent a lot of money just before he died?" asked Viola.
"He either spent it or - Well, yes, he must have spent it, for it is gone. The car cost ten thousand, and he spent as much, if not more, on the yacht."
"But they can be sold. I don't want either of them. I'm afraid in the big car," said Viola, "and the yacht isn't seaworthy, I've heard. I wouldn't take a trip in her."
"I don't know anything about that," said LeGrand Blossom. "But even if the car and yacht were sold at a forced sale they would not bring anything like what they cost. I have gone carefully over your father's affairs, as you requested me, and I tell you frankly they are in bad shape."
"What can be done?" asked Miss Carwell.
"I don't know," LeGrand Blossom frankly admitted. "You may call in an expert, if you like, to go over the books; but I don't believe he would come to any other conclusion than I have. As a matter of fact, I bad a somewhat selfish motive in looking into your father's affairs of late. You know I was thinking of going into partnership with him, and - and -" He did not finish.
Viola nodded.
"Perhaps I might say that he was good enough to offer me the chance," the young man went on. And, as I was to invest what was, to me, a large sum, I wanted to see how matters were. So I examined the books carefully, as your father pressed me to do. At that time his affairs were in good shape. But of late he had lost a lot of money."
"Will it make any difference to us?" and Viola included her aunt in her gesture.
"Well, you, Miss Carwell," and Blossom nodded to the older lady, "have your own money in trust funds. Mr. Carwell could not touch them. But he did use part of the fortune left you by your mother," he added to Viola.
"I don't mind that," was her steady answer. "If my father needed my money he was welcome to it. That is past and gone. What now remains to me?"
"Very little," answered LeGrand Blossom. "I may be able to pull the business through and save something, but there is a lot of money lost - spent or gone somewhere. I haven't yet found out. Your father speculated too much, and unwisely. I told him, but he would pay no heed to me."
"Do you think he knew, before his death, that his affairs were in such bad shape?" asked the dead man's sister.
"He must have, for I saw him going over the books several times."
"Do you think this knowledge impelled him toto end his life?" faltered Viola.
LeGrand Blossom considered a moment before answering. Then he slowly said: