“By the way, sir,” the inspector was saying to Doctor Matthewson, “I take it that as Lady Stanworth sent for you, you have been called in here before since they arrived?”
“That’s right, Inspector,” nodded the doctor. “Mr. Stanworth called me in himself. He had a slight attack of hay fever.”
“Ah!” remarked the inspector with interest. “And I suppose you examined him more or less.”
The doctor smiled faintly. He was remembering a somewhat strenuous half hour he had spent with his patient in this very room. “As a matter of fact, I examined him very thoroughly indeed. At his own request, of course. He said that it was the first time he had seen a doctor for fifteen years, and he’d like to be properly overhauled while he was about it.”
“And how did you find him?” the inspector asked with interest. “Anything much wrong with him? Heart, or anything like that?”
“See what he’s getting at?” Roger whispered to Alec. “Wants to find out if he was suffering from any incurable disease that might have led to suicide.”
“There was nothing wrong with him at all,” the doctor said with finality. “He was as sound as the proverbial bell. In fact, for a man of his years he was in a really remarkably healthy condition.”
“Oh!” The inspector was clearly a little disappointed. “Well, what about this safe, then?”
“The safe?” Major Jefferson repeated in startled tones.
“Yes, sir; I think I should like to have a look at the contents, if you please. They may throw some light on the affair.”