John Cavendish is merely the catspaw.

Right now there is nothing for them to do but wait until the boy gets full possession of the property; then they'll put the screws on him good and proper.

Meantime Frederick must be kept out of sight--must remain dead." "I wonder how this was ever planned out--if it be true ?" "It must have originated in some cunning, criminal brain," he admitted thoughtfully.

"Not Beaton's, surely; and, while she is probably much brighter, I am inclined to think the girl is merely acting under orders.
There is somebody connected with this scheme higher up--a master criminal." Miss Donovan was no fool; newspaper work had taught her to suspect men of intellect, and that nothing, however wicked, low or depraved, was beyond them.
"Enright!" she said definitely.

"Obviously now.