"For God's sake - !"said Stephen irritably. "Since there is a will, let's know how we stand! Who's the heir?"
The solicitor looked austerely at him over the top of his pince-nez. "It is, as you no doubt perceive, a brief document," he said. "Had I been consulted - But I was not."
"I think it's all right," Joseph said guiltily. "My brother wouldn't let me send for you, but I think I remembered enough of my early training to draw it up correctly."
"It will of course have to be proved," said Blyth in a cold tone. "Where such a large sum of money is involved, I should naturally have advised the employment of a solicitor. But I am well aware of the late Mr. Herriard's peculiarities."
"Who - is - the - heir?" demanded Stephen.
Blyth looked affronted, and Mottisfont muttered something about observing a little decency. The Inspector, however, supported Stephen, and said that he too would like to know who was the heir.
"There are two bequests," said Blyth. "Miss Paula Herriard inherits fifteen thousand pounds; Mr. Joseph Herriard, ten thousand pounds. The residue, including the house and estate, is left to Mr. Stephen Herriard, unconditionally."
There was a moment's silence. Stephen jerked his head round to stare at his uncle. "What in hell's name did you do that for?" he asked angrily.
Even Blyth looked surprised. The Inspector stood watching Stephen with the interest of a connoisseur. Joseph said: "It was Nat, old man, not I. I only helped him to draw it up."
"Encouraged him to leave a fortune to me, I suppose!"