"James Melray."
"Well, my dear, and what do you make of it?" asked Mrs. Melray, after staring silently at Fanny for several seconds.
"On the face of it, it seems a very mysterious production, and I confess that I don't in the least know what to make of it. The date of it is just a fortnight before Mr. Melray's death."
"So it is. That is a point which failed to strike me at the moment. But what is meant by 'our mutual friend, Mr. ----'? Is the name omitted?"
"Not omitted, but owing to a fault in copying, it is so smudged as to be illegible."
"That is a pity, but of course it can't be helped." Then, after a few moments of silent consideration, she added: "I think this is a case as to which it may be advisable to consult my son. What say you?"
"I quite agree with you, madam."
"Then you are inclined to attach some importance to the paper?"
"I am inclined to attach very great importance to it."
"In that case, will you be good enough to ring the bell?"