Witness to the Deed

by George Manville Fenn

“You have, as his nearest friend and neighbour.”

“No, no, no,” said Stratton uneasily.

“I tell you it’s right,” said Guest. “We’ll go to the station quietly, give notice, and a couple of men will come, and bring a locksmith or carpenter to open the door.”

“Impossible! The publicity: it would be horrible.”

“If we found the old fellow lying dead there, yes. But he may not be.”

“No, he may not be, so it cannot be done,” said Stratton with an unwonted animation which made Guest the more eager.

“But it can.”

“I say no,” said Stratton angrily.

“But I say yes.”

“You have no right, no business whatever, to interfere in the matter. I will not have Mr Brettison’s place broken open and his things disturbed. It shall not be done.”