"Why not, indeed. You know as much about the matter as I do."
Beaten by his imperturbability, the girl adopted another mode of attack. "Why should Ferdy be accused?"
"I don't know, unless it is that Ferdy lives a wild life, as I told you, and would do much for money."
"For money? What do you mean?"
"I mean that the forty thousand pounds is yet unaccounted for."
"Oh, and Ferdy murdered Uncle Henry for that money?"
"The writer accuses him of the crime," said Jerce, quietly. "I am not prepared to endorse the accusation, as I know nothing."
"But I know," cried Clarice, vehemently. "Ferdy was locked in his room by me on the night of the crime, because he had been taking too much to drink."
"You had better answer this letter and say so," retorted Jerce.
"To whom should I write--to what address?"