At length he took up the letter, and read it through slowly.
'Why did my brother give you this letter ?' The question was a puzzling one.

Hyacinth had never thought of trying to understand the Captain's motives.

Then the conversation in the hotel recurred to him.
'He said that he wanted to do a good turn to me and to you also.' 'What had you done for him ?' 'Nothing whatever.' Apparently James Quinn was not in the least vexed at the brevity of the answers he received, or disturbed because his cross-examination was obviously disagreeable to Hyacinth.
'In this letter,' he went on, referring to the document as he spoke, 'he describes you as a young man who is "certainly honest, probably religious, and possibly intelligent." I presume you know my brother, and if you do, you may be surprised to hear that I am quite prepared to take his word for all this.

I have very seldom known Albert to tell me lies, and I don't know why he should want to deceive me in this case.

Still, I am a little puzzled to account for his giving you the letter.