I believe it's best to hold on to it till the estate's settled." This was pretty lame, as he realized, but his caution pleased her, and she acquiesced.

She was anxious to leave no ground for anyone to rob Sylvia of her money, and if there was any remote possibility that the letter might add to the girl's security she was willing that it should be retained.

She sent Dan out into the bank for an envelope, and when it was brought, sealed up the letter and addressed it to Dan in her own hand and marked it private.
"You take good care of that, Daniel, and when you get the estate closed up you burn it." "Yes, it can do no harm to hold it a little while," he said with affected lightness..