“No, Uncle Alden’s study. Papers were all over the floor. Drawers were pulled out of the desks, and the filing cabinets were open. The sheriff went right to work on it.
“Listen, Mr. Mason. Uncle Alden gave another twenty thousand dollar check, payable to L. C. Conway and endorsed the same as the other one was. This time the check was cashed by a woman around forty-five with black eyes and high cheekbones. At the same time she presented the check, she gave the cashier a letter in Uncle Alden’s handwriting stating that if there was any delay about cashing the check, he would take his account out of the bank.”
“Did this woman leave a name?” Mason asked.
“No. She seemed to know her rights. She was very curt. She insisted on having the money in cash. The bank cashier says it was unmistakably Uncle Alden’s handwriting. He’s very much concerned about it. He was tempted to refuse payment, but the note frightened him.”
Mason said, “I want to see that check.”
“I’ve arranged for that,” she said. “I’ve already given instructions to the bank, and a messenger will have it in your office within the next ten minutes.”
“Good girl,” Mason said into the telephone. “How are you feeling, worried?”
“No,” she said. “I think Uncle Alden can take care of himself, now that he’s free, but I’m mad.”
“At whom?” Mason asked.
She laughed and said, “I don’t know. Sometimes I think it’s Uncle Alden.”