stout, low-browed man, with an evil look.

"Yes," said Graves, with a smile; "I am going to board him here a
while."

"What's it all about? What are you going to gain by it?"

"I'll tell you all I know. I've known something of the family for a long
time. John Wade employed me long ago. The old millionaire had a son
who went abroad and died there. His cousin, John Wade, brought home his
son--a mere baby--the old man's grandson, of course, and sole heir, or
likely to be, to the old man's wealth, if he had lived. In that case,
John Wade would have been left out in the cold, or put off with a small
bequest."

"Yes. Did the boy live?"

"No; he died, very conveniently for John Wade, and thus removed the only
obstacle from his path."

"Very convenient. Do you think there was any foul play?"

"There may have been."

"But I should think the old man would have suspected."

"He was away at the time. When he returned to the city, he heard from
his nephew that the boy was dead. It was a great blow to him, of course.
Now, I'll tell you what," said Graves, sinking his voice so that Frank
found it difficult to hear, "I'll tell you what I've thought at times."