“I have; and also the bonds of which I have given you a memorandum. They are all at your disposal at any time.”
“Then Mr. Hemmingway died without adding the codicil to his will in your favor,” observed Bayliss.
“Yes,” replied Fiske, “but that is a minor matter in the face of the present tragedy.”
Bayliss felt slightly rebuked, but he couldn’t help admiring the manly way in which Fiske had spoken.
“And this conversation occurred on Saturday,” went on Mr. Garson. “You took occasion to write to Mr. Hemmingway on Sunday?”
“I did,” agreed Fiske. “I was so surprised at the whole thing that I was unable to express myself at our interview. I am always tongue-tied under stress of great surprise or excitement. So I sat down Sunday afternoon and wrote to Mr. Hemmingway. I mailed the letter Sunday evening and he had already received it when I reached here on Monday morning, at ten o’clock, as usual.”
“Did he refer to your letter?” asked Bayliss.
“Yes; he said he was glad I wrote it, and that he would answer it on paper that I might also have his sentiments in black and white. Then he said we would discuss the matter more fully after a day or two, and we then turned our attention to other matters.”
“And this revelation he made to you?” queried Inspector Garson, running his eyes over the letter.
Mr. Fiske hesitated and looked not only embarrassed but genuinely disturbed.