The solicitor shook his head.

‘Well, that accounts for his dark threats yesterday,’ remarked Stephen.

‘What were they, sir?’ asked Hemingway.

Stephen’s mocking eyes lifted momentarily to his face. ‘Something about making changes. I thought it was mere rhetoric.’

‘The question is, if Mr Blyth hasn’t got the will, where is it?’ asked Mottisfont.

Stephen shrugged. ‘Probably in the incinerator.’

‘No, no; he wouldn’t have done that!’ Joseph said. ‘Don’t talk of him in that cruel way, Stephen! You know there was no one, not even me, he cared for as much as he cared for you!’

‘Are you trying to say that I had reason to know there was a will in my favour?’ demanded Stephen.

‘You ought to have guessed as much, I should have thought,’ said Mottisfont spitefully. ‘Joseph’s been hinting at it ever since I came down here!’

At this attack, Joseph instantly ranged himself on the side of his nephew. ‘I don’t wish to speak harshly at such a time, Edgar, but that is a – a monstrous suggestion! Stephen, did I ever, at any time, tell you anything about poor Nat’s will?’

‘No.’

‘Oh, I haven’t known your family for all these years without learning that you always stick together!’ Mottisfont said. ‘All I can say is that I for one got the impression that Stephen was Nat’s heir, and I got it from the remarks you let fall, Joe!’

The Inspector, though not unappreciative of this interchange, intervened, saying apologetically: ‘I don’t want to interfere with you gentlemen, but if there is a will I’d like to see it.’

‘There isn’t one,’ Stephen said shortly.

The Inspector’s eyes were on Joseph’s troubled face. ‘What do you say to that, sir?’

‘My brother did make a will,’ Joseph answered. ‘Perhaps he subsequently destroyed it. I don’t know. But there’s a safe in this room, and I think it might be there.’

‘A safe in this room?’ repeated Stephen.

‘Yes, it’s hidden behind that picture,’ replied Joseph. ‘I don’t suppose you knew about it. Nat only told me when he was ill, and wanted me to get something out of it.’

‘Can you open it?’

‘Yes, if the combination hasn’t been changed.’

Stephen walked over to the picture Joseph had indicated, and took it down, revealing a small wall-safe. After a good deal of fussing and fumbling, Joseph succeeded in opening it. He then invited Blyth to see what it contained, and stood back, looking anxious.

Blyth drew two bundles of documents out of the safe, and brought them to the desk, where he and Hemingway went through them. Stephen stood frowning by the fireplace, while Mottisfont, who seemed to find it difficult to sit still, polished his spectacles.

After a pause, Blyth said in his precise way: ‘Most of these papers are share-certificates, and can have no bearing on the case. I find that there is a will.’ He added in a disparaging tone: ‘It would appear to be in order.’

‘For God’s sake – !’ said Stephen irritably. ‘Since there is a will, let’s know how we stand! Who’s the heir?’