Nick found, however, that Clayton could add but little to the information already imparted by Mrs. Darling.
Clayton stated that he had been Darling’s legal adviser for a number of years, that the latter had left no will, and that his personal estate, as far as could be discovered, consisted of less than five thousand dollars. From several brokers with whom Darling had been in the habit of dealing, nevertheless, Clayton had learned that he had sold bonds and securities within two months amounting to nearly a hundred thousand dollars.
“It certainly looks bad, Mr. Carter, deucedly bad,” he added gravely, after stating these facts. “Though I have not yet mentioned it to Mrs. Darling, I can form only one theory consistent with the circumstances, and that is not entirely consistent.”
“What is your theory?” Nick inquired.
“I think Mr. Darling was murdered.”
“By whom?”
“I have no idea, not the slightest.”
“Do you know of any persons with whom he has had business relations, who might have committed the crime?”
“I do not. I am entirely in the dark.”
“How would you account for the letter stating his suicidal intention? That was found in his wife’s bedroom.”