“Where’s that will now?”

“That’s just the point, Mrs. Cool,” Mrs. Goldring announced. “My son-in-law burned that will up.”

“ How do you know?”

Mrs. Goldring’s smile was triumphantly inclusive. “I think you can help us there, Mrs. Cool.”

“Perhaps I can,” Bertha admitted cautiously.

“If we could prove that the will was burned after Mabel’s death, then we could introduce other evidence to show what was in the will — Mabel’s telephone conversation for instance.”

“When was it dated?” Bertha asked.

“We have reason to believe it was made the day before her death, April sixth.”

A look of pleased anticipation made Bertha Cool seem positively cherubic. “Yes, Mrs. Goldring, I think I can help you.”

“Oh, I’m so glad,” Mrs. Goldring said.