"Have you any letters from him in reference to the matter?" asked Detective Peake.
From a pocket of unknown depth Miss Gilman drew out an epistle which she handed to the detective.
"You can read it if you want to," she said.
Mr. Peake opened the letter and read it. It ran thus:
Miss Jane Gilman:
Your letter requesting me to send you a hundred pounds is received. Your request is certainly an audacious one. Why I should send you a hundred pounds, or even ten pounds, I am at a loss to imagine. The boy Robert, whose existence you think would be dangerous to me, is dead by your own admission, and my right to the Fenwick title and estates is undisputed and indisputable. If you expect me to support you for the balance of your life, your expectations are doomed to disappointment. You are strong and healthy, and are able to earn your own living in the sphere in which you were born. Besides, if you had been prudent you would have saved a considerable sum out of the large pension you have received from me during the last dozen or more years. I think it quite probable that you have a snug sum invested and are not in any danger of suffering.
Still I don't want to be hard upon you. I accordingly inclose a five-pound note, which you will please consider as a final gift on my part.
Guy Fenwick.
"Miss Gilman," said Detective Peake, "will you permit me to keep this letter—for the present?"
"What do you want to do with it?" asked Jane suspiciously.
"Use it against the man who calls himself Sir Guy Fenwick. In connection with your testimony it will prove valuable evidence."
"You have promised that I shall be well paid?"
"Yes, I can take it upon myself to promise that."