"And he said he was going to America—by that he meant the United States, I suppose?"
"Yes. On the night I saw him he left me with the expressed intention of joining the steamer at Liverpool next day."
"Rather strange, isn't it, that he didn't go by Southampton, since he was so near?"
"That I can't say. It never struck me. I have told you everything, Mr. Prince, exactly as it happened, because I feel I can trust you," and the look with which she accompanied her words was altogether too convincing for this very human inspector. "You see how absolutely baseless and spiteful this accusation is," she went on. "What interest could I possibly have in the theft of poor Mr. Barton's will? On the contrary, if she only knew it, I had a very strong interest in the opposite direction, since I believe it contained a legacy in my favour!"
"What's that, Miss Crane?"
"Mr. Barton was always very good to me. In fact, well——" and here Miriam cast down her eyes, "in fact, he wished to marry me!"
"'Gad, I don't wonder at that, miss. And may I make so bold as to ask why you refused him? He was eccentric we all know, but he did have a lot of money."
"Our ages alone made it quite impossible," replied Miriam. "I was obliged to tell him I could not marry a man I did not love, and I believe it was in the first instance that that made him think of me in his will. He told me I was the only woman he had ever known who put love before money, and that he intended leaving me a small income in his will."
"And did he?" asked the wily inspector, unable to resist laying a trap for her.
"Well, of course I don't know. I never saw the will. I only know he promised to, and I only tell you now to show you that it was presumably to my interest that the will should be forthcoming, not stolen."