"It is," Sir Michael answered.
"I could swear to it anywhere," said Cayley. "The money is a small matter when Eva has to be considered. We may succeed in tricking the scoundrels later, but the money must be paid."
"If it is, you may depend they will get clear off," said Quarles. "They have made their arrangements cleverly enough for that."
"But you forget—"
"I forget nothing, Mr. Cayley."
"I feel that it must be paid," said Sir Michael. "If you can devise any way of tripping up the villains, do, but Eva's signature—"
"Look at it, Sir Michael," said Quarles. "I do not doubt that it is her signature, but I think it was scribbled on that piece of paper before the letter was written, and certainly a different ink was used."
Sir Michael took the letter and looked at it carefully.
"Yes—yes, I think you are right," he said after a pause. "What do you advise?"
"Delay," said the professor promptly. "They are out for money, for a quarter of a million. They will not hurt Miss Wilkinson while there is any chance of their getting the money."