It was not fear that had led to this meeting--no escape of their prisoner, no suspicion that their conspiracy had been discovered, no alarm of exposure--but merely the careful completion of plans long before perfected.

Apparently every detail of the crime, which meant the winning of Frederick Cavendish's fortune, had been thus far successfully carried out.

The money was already practically in their possession, and not the slightest suspicion had been aroused.

It had been a masterpiece of criminal ingenuity, so boldly carried out as to avoid danger of discovery.
Westcott believed he saw the purpose which had actuated the ruling spirit--a desire to attain these millions without bloodshed; without risking any charge of murder.

This whole affair had been no vulgar, clumsy crime; it was more nearly a business proposition, cold-blooded, deliberately planned, cautiously executed.