He began to hunt amongst the dusty heap of documents on his desk, remarking that in this office you had only to lay a thing down for a minute for it to disappear completely. The Superintendent, surveying the general disorder with an awed gaze, made a sympathetic murmur, and wondered whether there was the least hope of discovering Arnold Vereker's letter in the welter on the desk.
But Mr Carrington, having thrown one bundle of papers at his son, with the Delphic utterances "Section 35 of the Act; they'd better settle it out of court;" and dropped two used envelopes vaguely in the direction of the waste-paper basket, pounced upon a sheet of closely written notepaper, and scowled at it, rubbing the tip of his nose with his forefinger. “This is it,” he announced. “You'd better have it, Superintendent. May mean nothing; may mean a lot. Here, Giles, you take a look at it! What did the fellow think I could tell him that he didn't know already? Arnold all over! Wasting my time with his rubbishy questions! But I don't like to hear this about Tony; what's the wretched child about to get herself entangled with this young waster? Read it!” .
By this time Giles was doing so. When he came to the end, he held it out to Hannasyde, saying: “I think this comes rather pat, don't you?”
The letter was on office paper, but written by hand, and by a man in a raging temper. “Dear Uncle,” it began, and continued abruptly: “What is the legal position of this firm in the case of systematic tampering with the accounts on the part of an employee? I've caught this damned whipper-snapper Mesurier out, and I want to prosecute, but wish to know how I stand before taking definite action. I have had him up and he has the insolence to expect me to condone it because, f you please, he is paying back what he calls the "loan" in his own good time! Does this prejudice my case, or not? Major portion of the sum stolen is still owing. Surely I have a case? Don't reply with any sentimental drivel; the skunk has got himself engaged to that damned little fool, Antonia, and I want him exposed. Kindly give this matter your immediate attention, and advise.”
The Superintendent read this through with his usual deliberation. “Yes, it does come pat,” he said. “You're quite right. A bit hard on this chap Mesurier, wasn't he?
Mr Carrington, who was once more hunting through the litter on his desk, temporarily abandoned his new search and swung his chair round so that he faced Hannasyde. “Hard? Infernally vindictive, sir, that's what my nephew Arnold is - was.” he paused, and added with a growl: “De mortuis nil nisi bonum,” as a sort of general absolution. “But I never in my life met a fellow with a worse heart, or a worse temper, or worse manners, or more obstinate, pig-headed -”
“He wasn't as bad as all that, sir,” objected Giles.
“Don't interrupt,” said Mr Carrington sternly. He transferred his attention to Hannasyde “You can keep that letter. You look a sensible man, as far as I can judge. I've no desire to get this Mesurier fellow into trouble, but I've still less desire to see you Yard men barking up what I trust is the wrong tree. I'm not acting for that benighted young nephew of mine - though why I call him my nephew I don't know, he isn't - and thank thank God for it! But from what I know of him - Yes , what is it?”
A clerk had tapped at the door, and entered. He said in a low voice. “For Mr Giles , Sir.”
“Well?” said Giles, turning his head. “Anything urgent?”