The call on Winston Bannard was preceded by a short visit to Detective Hughes.
While the lesser detective was not annoyed or offended at Stone's taking up the case, yet it was part of his professional pride to be able to tell his more distinguished colleague any new points he could get hold of. And, to-day, Hughes had received back from a local handwriting expert the letter that had been sent to Iris.
"And he says," Hughes told the tale, "he says, Barlow does, that that letter is in Win Bannard's writing, but disguised!"
"What!" and Stone eyed the document incredulously.
"Yep, Barlow says so, and he's an expert, he is. See, those twirly y's and those extra long-looped g's are just like these here in a lot of letters of Bannard's."
"Are these in Bannard's writing?"
"Yes, those are all his. You can see from their contents. Now, this here note signed William Ashton has the same peculiarities."
"Yes, I see that. Do you believe Bannard wrote this letter to his cousin?"
"She ain't exactly his cousin, only a half way sort of one."
"I know; never mind that now. Do you think Bannard wrote the note?"