"I consider there was a good deal of provocation," said Blyth dryly.
"Yes, yes, I know there was!" Joseph agreed. "Stephen has a wicked tongue. I'm not excusing him. But I think I may claim to know him better than most people and I can't let this pass without saying that that remark of his was not by any means unprovoked. Mottisfont's attitude to him ever since my poor brother's death has been little short of hostile."
"Do you know why?" asked Hemingway.
Joseph shook his head. "There's no reason, except that I'm afraid my nephew doesn't lay himself out to be very agreeable. He wants knowing, if you understand what I mean. I can't deny that he has - well, an unfortunate manner, very often, but it doesn't mean anything. Then, too, I daresay Mottisfont was inclined to be jealous of him, the silly fellow!"
"Would you say that he had an influence over your brother, sir?"
"Well, hardly that, perhaps. But my brother was very fond of him. And Stephen cared a good deal for my brother too, whatever Mottisfont may choose to think. You know how it is, Inspector! My nephew is not the sort of man to show what he feels, and people are inclined to think him callous. Poor Mottisfont was terribly shocked by my brother's death! Of course, Stephen was too, but he won't show it, and that misled Mottisfont into thinking - well, I'm sure I don't know what he thinks, but that unfortunate business of the cigarette-case made him say one or two things that were quite uncalled-for. But I think I put a stop to that. The old uncle has his uses!"
"Mr. Mottisfont thought the finding of that case in Mr. Herriard's room suspicious?"
"Oh, I don't know that he went as far as that! In any event, I feel sure the cigarette-case means nothing at all. There are probably a dozen explanations to account for its having been found in my brother's room."
"Mr. Herriard," said Hemingway, "did you at any time tell your nephew about the will you helped your brother to draw up?"
"No, indeed I didn't!" Joseph said quickly. "Why, it would have been most improper of me! You mustn't pay any heed to what poor Mottisfont said! That I'd been hinting that Stephen was the heir! Now, I do assure you, Inspector, that I never did anything of the kind. The only person I ever said anything to - and then only in the most general terms - was Miss Dean."