Over and over again he reviewed the facts told him, and compared these with his own observations.

That something was wrong was beyond doubt; he could no longer question this, but no satisfactory clue to the mystery had yet presented itself.

If some conspiracy was on foot against Natalie, what could be its object?
and who were directly involved?
There was apparently no way to settle this, except to wait patiently for some move on the part of the others.

Any attempt at guessing would only lead him astray.

Seemingly, Percival Coolidge was the only person who could be directly interested should misfortune occur to his niece; he was the guardian of her inheritance, and responsible for what remained of her father's estate.