"You don't mean that! Are you sure?"
Mr. Phelps was greatly agitated.
"I go only by circumstantial evidence, it is true. You know, of course, the funeral of Mr. Marlow took place in the morning?"
"Yes, yes; and at two o'clock you took Sophy and Miss Parsh to Bournemouth."
"I did. Well, about five o'clock, Brown--we'll call him that instead of the Quiet Gentleman, though I don't believe it really is his name--well, about that time Brown walked over to Abbey Farm. He brought a letter purporting to come from me to my housekeeper, Mrs. Hester."
"From you, Alan?"
"Yes, the letter was forged," said Alan with emphasis. "It directed Mrs. Hester to allow Brown to remain at the farm until I returned. It was in my handwriting, and signed with my name. She knew nothing about Brown, save that he was staying at Mrs. Marry's, and she thought it somewhat strange he should come to stop at the farm during my absence. But as the instructions in the letter were quite plain, and she knew my handwriting well--that shows how expert the forgery was--she gave Brown the run of the place. In the meantime she wrote to me at Bournemouth asking me if all was right, and inclosed the forged letter. Here it is!"
As he saw the handwriting, Mr. Phelps started.
"Upon my word, Alan, I don't wonder Mrs. Hester was deceived, especially when you consider her sight is not good! Why, I myself with my eyes should certainly take it for yours." (Mr. Phelps wore pince-nez, but nevertheless resented any aspersion on his optical powers.) "But why on earth didn't she telegraph to you?"
"Well, you know how old-fashioned and conservative she is, sir. She makes out through the Scriptures--how, I cannot tell you--that the telegraph is a sinful institution. Therefore it is not to be wondered at that she trusted to the post. I got her letter only this morn as, of course, it followed me on from Bournemouth. Nevertheless, I knew about the loss of the key last night."