The Herapath Property

ere a

t of any of them. Certainly, if Mr. Herapath died at, or before, twelve o'clock midnight, he could not have been in Portman Square at one o'clock in the morning! Yet, according to all the evidence, he had been there, in his own house, in his own study. His coachman had seen him in the act of entering the house; there was proof that he had eaten food and drunk liquor

lled by Barthorpe Herapath, and he turned to see that gentleman standing

kets? We found these pushed away under some loose papers on the desk. It looks as if he'd put them on the desk when

Selwood, abruptl

res like these there are always things that have got to be done. Now, did you ever hear my

ood. "I never heard him

an to practice, in fact-and so far as I know, he never made a will. More than once I've suggested that he should make one, but like mos

the presence of the police inspector and the detective, who were peering about them in the mysterious fashion associated with their calling. The inspector was looking narrowly at the fastenings of the two windows and apparen

particularly looking for in any of his drawers in that desk," he continued, turning to Selwood. "I knew enough of his habits to know that anything that's in there

eling strangely apathetic about the present proceedings, took t

em to me. There ought to be six keys here-the key of this safe, the key of the safe at Portman Square, the latch-key for this office, the k

olice officials paused in their tasks and dre

in of that?" a

, I've been handling these keys eve

you handle

h went down to the House. That was in Portman Square. He

Deposit key the

of it," asserted Selwood. "This is the key

t the Alpha, eh?" he continued, musingly. "I never kne

ry much in this safe," he went on, throwing open the door. "It's not long since I tidied it out-at his request. So far as

lly, taking the various papers and documents out one by one and laying them in order on a small table which Selwood

ood. After all, it's much more likely that he'd keep his will in the safe

the house. The driver of the taxi-cab had just gone away, and Mr. Tertius was discussing his

has just left us. At present I don't want Mr. Barthorpe Herapath to know what he told us. Be

it seemed to Peggie, looked utterly unwilling for whatever task might lay bef

y cousin and I have private matters to attend to, and I shall be obliged if you'll withdraw. You've got private room

listened to this unmo

to go away?" h

ed on him with

st out. "If you've any sense of fitness, you'll know that until my uncle's w

ere as regards Mr. Tertius, and I intend to respect them. I've always been mistress of this house since my uncle bro

any other intention. Mr. Barthorpe Herapath, I believe

ips as he glanced f

, I shan't use physical force. But mind I don't use a little moral f

using threatening language to

ered, and tur

d was evidently considerably put out by her cousin's behaviour. "I suppose you never heard my uncle mention a will? We've searched his private sa

upon Barthorpe's opin

rouble if I speak at this junct

ined effort to appear unconcerned. He twisted round o

l!" he exclaimed. "You say-

it was made, where it now

horpe. "Where it now-is! And whe

up to Peggie, laid his han

y Mr. Herapath called me in here. He had his then secretary, Mr. Burchill, with him. He took a document out of a drawer, told us that it was his will, signed it in our joint presence

nded strangely husky

he

nd led her across the room to a recess

re is a secret drawer in it. Here it is-concealed behind another drawer. You put this drawer

irrepressible eagerness, thrust forward a shaking hand. Bu

remarked, "is addr

n effort and con

said hoarsel

he envelope and then, with a sudd

imed imploringly. "You-I

read it," add

t open the envelope, and drew out a folded sheet of foolscap paper. He saw at a glance that th

which I die possessed, whether in real or personal estate, absolutely to my niece, Margaret Wynne, now resident with me at the above address, and I ap

b Hera

ilence fell-to be as suddenly broken

?" he said. "T

r paragraph which he had not

's witnessed all right.

nt at the same time who in his presence and in the presen

ius, of 500, Portman Sq

31, Upper Seymour Stre

o in her turn hastily gave it to Mr. Tertius. For a m

a strangely quiet voice. "I don

s at the foot of the document. Then, without a word or look, he twisted

of C