He read it through word by word. She repeated them after him. Then a calm seemed to come upon her which was almost unnatural.
“Take care of the letter,” he enjoined. “Don’t lose it.”
He rushed out across the lawn and through the postern gate. Down the great avenue from the house he could see the lights of two cars flashing. He ran on to the crossroads and stood there with arms extended. Presently they swung round the corner, and at the sight of him were brought to a standstill with a grinding of the brakes. In the front one were Major Holmes, Sir Bertram and Gregory, in the rear one Cloutson and Henry Ballaston. Mr. Johnson gripped Major Holmes by the arm.
“Major,” he exclaimed, “an amazing thing has happened. You must come round to the Great House at once.”
Major Holmes frowned.
“I am afraid, Mr. Johnson,” he said, “it is too late for any sort of intervention. The criminal has confessed.”
Mr. Johnson was staggered, but still frantically eloquent.
“There can be nothing to confess,” he insisted. “Come and I’ll show you the letter. I’ll show you where I found it. You must come. You’re in charge of this case. I’m sane. It was I who wanted justice done. You must see what has happened—see the open safe—read the letter!”
Major Holmes descended and gave an order to the sergeant behind. Both cars were driven to the Great House. Almost pushed in by Mr. Johnson, they crowded into the library. He pointed to the open safe, visible through the door of the annex.
“Miss Endacott had the key,” he explained. “I noticed it round her neck to-night. It came a month after Mr. Endacott’s death. I opened the safe and found this letter that you must all read. I will swear that it is in Ralph Endacott’s handwriting. His niece will swear it. I took it from the safe. Ralph Endacott shot himself. He was dying.”