"Was one of them directed to Mr. Bannard," asked Hughes.
"How should I know?" said the chauffeur, turning red.
"Oh, it's no crime to glance at the addresses on envelopes," said Hughes, encouragingly. "Curiosity may not be an admirable trait, but it isn't against the law. And it will help us a lot if you can answer my question."
"Then, no, sir, there wasn't," and Campbell looked ashamed but positive.
"And there was no other chance for Mrs. Pell to mail a letter to-day?" went on Hughes.
"No, sir; none of us has been to the village since, and the post-office closes at noon on Sunday anyhow."
"All that proves nothing," said Bannard, impatiently. "If my aunt drew that check to me it is probably still in this room somewhere, and if not it is quite likely she destroyed it, in a sudden change of mind. She has done that before, in my very presence. You know, Mr. Chapin, how uncertain her decisions are."
"That's true," the lawyer agreed, "I've drawn up papers for her often, only to have her tear them up before my very eyes, and demand a document of exactly opposite intent."
"So, you see," insisted Bannard, who had regained his composure, "that check means nothing, the New York newspaper is not incriminating and the cigarette is not enough to prove my guilty presence at the time of this crime. Unless the police force of Berrien can do better than that, I suggest getting a worthwhile detective from the city."
Hughes looked angrily at the speaker, but said nothing.