"Have you any news?" I asked.
"Well, sir," with a quick cautious glance at Merrivale, "I have and I have not. Before I say anything further, I should be glad to ask the gentleman a few questions, Mr. Merrivale, if agreeable."
"By all means," I answered.
He put me through a sharp cross-questioning on every point with which the reader is acquainted, making rapid notes of all my answers and remarks. Then he sat silently scraping his chin and gnawing his nails for some minutes. At last he looked up suddenly.
"The funeral, I understand, is fixed [{462}] for next Tuesday, and after that is over the Will is to be read. Perhaps that may throw some light on the subject."
I could not for the life of me repress a start, and Inspector Keene made a mental note of it, I knew.
"Good-day, gentlemen. I will call on you, Mr. Merrivale, to-morrow. I think I am on the scent. "
"Come," said Merrivale, "we must be off, or we shall be late."
TO BE CONTINUED.