Part 14 (1/2)
Mr. Asher reflected. ”I don't know that you have any right to ask that question,” he said, after a pause.
”Pardon me,” replied the detective. ”Miss Kent was murdered. I fancied that the money might have something to do with the commission of the crime.”
”No, Mr. Steel. I read the evidence given at the inquest. Jealousy was the motive of the crime, and Miss Denham is guilty.”
”I am somewhat of that way of thinking myself, Mr. Asher. And on the face of it there is no other way of accounting for the murder.
Nevertheless it is just as well to look at the matter from all sides.
The crime may be connected with the question of this fortune. You may as well tell me what I wish to know. I'll keep my mouth closed.”
”Are you going to accuse our client of the crime?” asked Asher dryly. ”I fear you will waste your time if you do. Since you look at the matter in this way, I don't mind speaking about what after all is not your business.”
”That is as it may be,” returned Steel enigmatically.
Asher pa.s.sed this remark over. ”Failing Miss Kent, the five thousand a year goes to George Franklin, a brother-in-law of the testator. We lately received a letter from him, informing us that he intended to claim the money.”
”How did he know that he would inherit?”
”We advertised for him. He is quite unaware of the death of Miss Kent, and I daresay thinks Mr. Powell left the fortune to him direct.”
”You can't be certain of his ignorance. However, let us give him the benefit of the doubt. Where did he write from?”
”From Florence, in Italy, where he has lived for four years. He will be in London next week, and if you want to see him----”
”I'll think of it,” interrupted Steel. ”There may be no need to trouble Mr. Franklin. At present I am searching for this clerk of yours, who went off with Miss Denham.”
The lawyer raised his eyebrows with manifest surprise. ”A clerk of ours, Mr. Steel? I don't quite follow you.”
”I refer to the man who served a judgment summons on Mr. Morley.”
”A boy served that,” explained Asher. ”The boy who showed you in.”
Steel stared hard at the solicitor, trying to understand why he had made such a statement. ”But that is absurd,” he remarked. ”I know that nothing was said at the inquest about the matter, as Mr. Morley did not wish it to be known that he was in such difficulties. But a tall man, with a reddish beard, dressed in a great-coat, with a white scarf, served the summons. Afterwards he went to the midnight service in the parish church, and lured Miss Kent outside by means of a note, which we cannot find. From what I have gathered this man went with Miss Denham in Mr. Ware's motor-car. He fled with her, and I fancy he must be either the a.s.sa.s.sin or an accessory after the fact.”
Asher heard all this with extreme surprise. When Steel concluded he touched the bell. Alexander responded with his usual cheerful and impudent air. His master addressed him with some severity. ”What about that summons which was served by you on Mr. Morley, of Rickwell?” he demanded.
The lad grew crimson to his ears, and looked at the floor much embarra.s.sed. ”I served it all right, sir,” he mumbled.
”_You_ served it,” struck in Steel, with emphasis. ”That is quite untrue. A tall man with a red beard served it.”
”Alexander, tell the truth. What does this mean?”
The boy began to sob, and drew his coat-sleeve across his eye with a snuffle. ”I thought it was all right,” he said, ”or I should not have given it to him.”
”The summons! You gave it to someone to serve?”
”Yes, sir. To Mr. Wilson, mother's lodger.”
”Is he tall? Has he a pale face and a red beard?” asked Steel.
”He has, sir. He's been with mother six months, and was always kind.