“Mr. Kennedy,” remarked Grace in a thoughtful, low tone, “what do you make of that Record article?”
“Very clever, no doubt,” replied Craig.
“But don't you think it strange about the will?”
“Hush,” whispered Tom, for Isabelle and Harrington had ceased talking and might perhaps be listening.
Just then one of the servants came up with a telegram.
Tom hastily opened it and read the message eagerly in the corner of the summer house nearest one of the glowing smudges. I felt instinctively that it was from his lawyer. He turned and beckoned to Kennedy and myself.
“What do you think of that?” he whispered hoarsely.
We bent over and in the flickering light read the message:
New York papers full of spontaneous combustion story. Record had exclusive story yesterday, but all papers to-day feature even more. Is it true? Please wire additional details at once. Also immediate instructions regarding loss of will. Has been abstracted from safe. Could Lewis Langley have taken it himself? Unless new facts soon must make loss public or issue statement Lewis Langley intestate.
DANIEL CLARK