"How long had he been a widower?"
"Ten years."
"No children, I believe?"
"No children of his own. His wife had a son by a former husband."
Nick pricked up his ears. "Where is that son?" he asked quietly.
"I do not know. He was a wild sort of a chap and left home before his mother's death. I know that he was a source of great annoyance to Playfair, who spent many thousands of dollars in paying Arthur's gambling debts."
"Did Playfair ever mention his stepson's name?"
"It never passed his lips. For twelve years—ever since the young man left home—he was as dead to his stepfather."
"What is the fellow's full name?"
"Arthur Mannion; and if he is alive he should be about thirty years of age."