He believed him to be a sneaking scoundrel, at present engaged in seeking some means for gaining possession of the trust funds left in his care.

And yet, West had to confess to himself that this belief was largely founded upon prejudice--confidence in Natalie, and a personal dislike of the man himself.

He possessed no proof of the fellow's perfidy, nor had he even determined in his own mind the means to be employed for learning the truth.

He had nothing to build upon but the statement of the girl, which was extremely vague in detail, and largely mere suspicion.

The more thoroughly he analyzed the situation the more complicated it became, and the less confident he felt regarding an early solution.