“Yes, I know; and it puzzles me far more than the other one. Outside you three, what earthly object could anyone have had in murdering him? Any client with a grievance has got to murder all the lot of you, either to wreak a revenge for a business grievance to alter the course of any events.”
“But, Tempest, we haven’t got such a client. We scarcely ever litigate in the ordinary sense. Chancery motions, by mutual arrangement to get orders of the court, and that kind of thing, don’t beget clients or opponents with a grievance. Our business is conveyancing and trust work and family settlements. In the whole history of the firm, we’ve never quarrelled with a client over his or her account.”
“Then you are arguing yourselves a bit closer. I’m certain of this much. Sir John had an appointment at the office that evening with someone over a matter which was not the business of the firm. If Smith’s tale be true, Smith was practically made to clear out. Therefore, Sir John himself answers the door and admits somebody. That somebody shoots him, and lets himself or herself out afterwards, taking the revolver with him. As far as I can see, that is all you are justified as taking to be provable by deduction, and you must start guessing. Now, what was the only thing we are any of us aware of that Sir John was keeping secret?”
“His secret trust.”
“Well, put it rather the secret of this other person to safeguard, which Sir John created, the secret trust?”
“What next?”
“Who were the people who knew the secret?”
“Sir John.”
“Yes, and also the person it concerned, and perhaps Evangeline Stableford, too, though I rather doubt if she knew the whole or indeed very much of it. Now, as I’ve told you, I believe it to be Evangeline’s mother whose secret is being safeguarded.”
“Then do you say it was Evangeline’s mother who murdered Sir John?”