Part 20 (2/2)
”Tell me the details,” said Hunt.
”While you reported to the police that Mr. Merton had been missing for ten days, I discovered by inquiries at his hotel that he was in his room as late as last Monday night. In fact, he was seen to leave the hotel at midnight.”
”So I have heard,” Hunt broke in hastily. ”At the time I notified the police I had not seen Mr. Merton at the office for about ten days.”
Marsh nodded, and inquired, ”I suppose you follow the papers carefully every day?”
”Naturally,” was the reply.
”Then,” said Marsh, ”you probably read about the murder on Sheridan Road last Tuesday morning--the Sheridan Road Mystery, the papers called it.”
”Yes, I read about that affair.”
”Didn't it make you think?” asked Marsh.
”I don't understand.”
”I'll explain,” said Marsh. ”Mr. Merton left his hotel at midnight Monday. Two hours later a man was murdered in the Sheridan Road apartment. Mr. Merton has not been seen since.”
”Well?” queried Hunt.
”I've just been wondering--that's all,” answered Marsh, throwing the remains of his cigarette into the fire place. There was a slight pause as he selected another from his case and lit it.
”Mr. Marsh,” said Hunt, ”you're driving at something. What is it?”
”Just this,”. answered Marsh, leaning forward and looking Hunt in the eye. ”You hold a power of attorney from Mr. Merton. You are to be sole executor of his estate. Mrs. Merton may not return for years. That's an easy way to get a business, Mr. Hunt.”
Hunt adjusted a couple of pillows and settled back again. ”Do I gather from your remarks, Mr. Marsh, that you mean to imply something?”
”No,” returned Marsh, ”I am just stating an obvious situation.”
Hunt now leaned toward Marsh. ”Have the police arrived at the same conclusions?”
”Have you ever noticed,” countered Marsh, ”that what the police know usually appears in the papers?”
”You mean by that that the police have not formed the same connection which you have?”
”I inferred as much,” returned Marsh.
”Are you thinking of bringing your theories to their attention?”
asked Hunt, as he again settled himself back against the cus.h.i.+ons.
”That depends.”
”On what?” inquired Hunt.
”Yourself.”
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