His first impulse had been to gain the opinion
of an expert without disclosing family dissensions. Did some unconscious
secondary motive impel him to shape the case so that only one verdict
was probable?
The good Archdeacon ruminated, asked a few questions, and then said,
without hesitation:
"I cannot see your difficulty. Your course is clear. You are
responsible--"
"To a certain degree."
"To a certain degree for the action of an extremely injudicious friend
or relation who writes a letter which will get him and others into
trouble. It providentially falls into your hands. If I were in your
place I should destroy it, inform your friend that I had done so
principally for his own sake, and endeavor to bring him to a better mind
on the subject."
"Supposing the burning of the letter entailed a money loss?"
"I judge from what you say of this particular letter that any money that
accrued from it would be ill-gotten gains."
"Oh! decidedly."
"Then burn it; and if your friend remains obstinate he can always write
it again; but we must hope that by gaining time you will be able to
arouse his better feelings, and at least induce him to moderate its
tone."
"Of course he could write it again if he remains obstinate. I never
thought of that," said Mr.
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