"He has not had time, perhaps."
"The police do not usually lose time. An hour makes a great difference to a case of this sort. I wonder who murdered her."
"I can't say. I merely read the inquest in a casual manner. Had I known it was Mrs. Brand, I should have come forward," added Merry senior. "The publicity of the case would have done us good."
The son reflected. "There's time yet to make a fuss," he said. "We are responsible for the will of Mrs. Brand. I dare say we can get the heir to offer a reward. What about the will, father?"
"I must see after it." Merry senior nodded towards a box. "It's in there. Queer she didn't leave her money to her husband, Sammy."
"I don't think she and her husband got on well," said Sammy; "he was always away."
"Well, as a commercial traveller----"
"No, father," interrupted Sammy, with vivacity. "I don't believe he was. Mrs. Brand didn't strike me as a woman who would marry a commercial traveller. Did you ever see Mr. Brand?"
"No," replied the lawyer, without raising his eyes. "Did you?"
"I never did, although you sent me twice to Mrs. Brand's house on business. I remember the white room. I wonder it didn't strike me when I saw the report of the crime. By the way, father, how did Mrs. Brand come to be our client? It was before I entered the office that she became our client."