"Rupert's a fool, but honest enough," said Mallien shortly, and looking very much relieved. "Well, and what has all this to do with your infernal insolence in asking me for five thousand pounds? By your own showing there will be no trouble about my getting what is mine."
"I have told you why I ask for the money," retorted Carrington, tartly. "Don't make me repeat again and again what you already know."
"What is that?" demanded Mallien, willfully blind.
"You murdered Leigh, if you will have it."
"I did not murder Leigh. I had no reason to do so."
"Oh, yes, you had. You wanted the will, and remember that Kensit declared----"
"Oh, about the disordered papers," struck in Mallien, wiping his face. "What evidence is that, when everyone knows that Leigh kept his study like a pigsty. The papers were no more in disorder than usual."
"Sufficiently upset for the policeman to think that a search had been made."
"The Coroner and jury thought nothing of his evidence in that respect," said Mallien, with an uneasy sneer.
"Because the existence of the will was not known," replied Carrington, meaningly. "Once it is known, a strong motive is supplied for the killing of Leigh."