At that point of his surmisings and questionings Selwood heard himself called by Barthorpe Herapath, and he turned to see that gentleman standing in the hall dangling a bunch of keys, which Selwood instantly recognized.
We have just found these keys, said Barthorpe. You remember the inspector said he found no keys in my uncles pockets? We found these pushed away under some loose papers on the desk. It looks as if hed put them on the desk when he sat down, and had displaced them when he fell out of his chair. Of course, theyre hisperhaps you recognize them?
Yes, answered Selwood, abruptly. Theyre his.
I want you to come with me while I open his private safe, continued Barthorpe. At junctures like these there are always things that have got to be done. Now, did you ever hear my uncle speak of his willwhether hed made one, and, if so, where hed put it? Hear anything?
Nothing, replied Selwood. I never heard him mention such a thing.
Well, between ourselves, said Barthorpe, neither did I. Ive done all his legal work for him for a great many yearsever since I began to practice, in factand so far as I know, he never made a will. More than once Ive suggested that he should make one, but like most men who are in good health and spirits, he always put it off. However, we must look over his papers both here and at Portman Square.
Selwood made no comment. He silently followed Barthorpe into the private room in which his late employer had so strangely met his death. The body had been removed by that time, and everything bore its usual aspect, save for 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 apparently debating the chances of entrance and exit from them; the detective, armed with a magnifying glass, was examining the edges of the door, the smooth backs of chairs, even the surface of the desk, presumably for finger-marks.
I shant disturb you, said Barthorpe, genially. Mr. Selwood and I merely wish to investigate the contents of this safe. Theres no likelihood of finding what Im 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 thats in there will be of a purely business naturereferring to the estate. If he did keep anything thats personal here, itll be in that safe. Now, which is the key? Do you know?
He handed the bunch of keys to Selwood. And Selwood, who was feeling strangely apathetic about the present proceedings, took them mechanically and glanced carelessly at them. Then he started.
Theres a key missing! he exclaimed, suddenly waking into interest. I know these keys well enoughMr. Herapath was constantly handing them to me. There ought to be six keys herethe key of this safe, the key of the safe at Portman Square, the latch-key for this office, the key of this room, the latch-key of the house, and a key of a safe at the Alpha Safe Deposit place. That onethe Safe Deposit keyis missing.
Barthorpe knitted his forehead, and the two police officials paused in their tasks and drew near the desk at which Selwood was standing.
Are you certain of that? asked Barthorpe.
Sure! answered Selwood. As I say, Ive been handling these keys every day since I came to Mr. Herapath.
When did you handle them last?
Yesterday afternoon: not so very long before Mr. Herapath went down to the House. That was in Portman Square. He gave them to me to get some papers out of the safe there.
Was that Safe Deposit key there at that time?
They were all thereall six. Im certain of it, asserted Selwood. This is the key of this safe, he went on, selecting one.
Open the safe, then, said Barthorpe. Another safe at the Alpha, eh? he continued, musingly. I never knew he had a safe there. Did you ever know him to use it?
Ive been to it myself, answered Selwood. I took some documents there and deposited them, two days ago. Theres not very much in this safe, he went on, throwing open the door. Its not long since I tidied it outat his request. So far as I know, there are no private papers of any note there. He never made much use of this safein my presence, at any rate.
Well, well see what there is, anyhow, remarked Barthorpe. He began to examine the contents of the safe methodically, taking the various papers and documents out one by one and laying them in order on a small table which Selwood wheeled up to his side. Within twenty minutes he had gone through everything, and he began to put the papers back.
No will there, he murmured. Well go on to Portman Square now, Mr. Selwood. After all, its much more likely that hed keep his will in the safe at his own houseif he made one. But I dont believe he ever made a will.
Mr. Tertius and Peggie Wynne were still in the study when Barthorpe and Selwood drove up to the house. The driver of the taxi-cab had just gone away, and Mr. Tertius was discussing his information with Peggie. Hearing Barthorpes voice in the hall he gave her a warning glance.
Quick! he said hurriedly. Attend to what I say! Not a word to your cousin about the man who has just left us. At present I dont want Mr. Barthorpe Herapath to know what he told us. Be careful, my dearnot a word! Ill tell you why later onbut at present, silencestrict silence!
Barthorpe Herapath came bustling into the room, followed by Selwood, who, as it seemed to Peggie, looked utterly unwilling for whatever task might lay before him. At sight of Mr. Tertius, Barthorpe came to a sudden halt and frowned.
I dont want to discuss matters further, Mr. Tertius, he said coldly. I thought I had given you a hint already. My cousin and I have private matters to attend to, and I shall be obliged if youll withdraw. Youve got private rooms of your own in this house, I believeat any rate, until things are settledand it will be best if you keep to them.
Mr. Tertius, who had listened to this unmoved, turned to Peggie.
Do you wish me to go away? he asked quietly.
Barthorpe turned on him with an angry scowl.
Its not a question of what Miss Wynne wishes, but of what I order, he burst out. If youve any sense of fitness, youll know that until my uncles will is found and his wishes ascertained Im master here, Mr. Tertius, and
Youre not my master, Barthorpe, exclaimed Peggie, with a sudden flash of spirit. I know what my uncles wishes were as regards Mr. Tertius, and I intend to respect them. Ive always been mistress of this house since my uncle brought me to it, and I intend to be until I find Ive no right to be. Mr. Tertius, youll please to stop where you are!
I intend to, said Mr. Tertius, calmly. I never had any other intention. Mr. Barthorpe Herapath, I believe, will hardly use force to compel me to leave the room.
Barthorpe bit his lips as he glanced from one to the other.
Oh! he said. So thats how things are? Very good, Mr. Tertius. No, I shant use physical force. But mind I dont use a little moral forcea slight modicum of that would be enough for you, Im thinking!
Do I understand that you are using threatening language to me? asked Mr. Tertius, mildly.
Barthorpe sneered, and turned to Selwood.
Well open this safe now, he said. You know which is the key, I suppose, he went on, glaring at Peggie, who had retreated to the hearthrug and was evidently considerably put out by her cousins behaviour. I suppose you never heard my uncle mention a will? Weve searched his private safe at the office and theres nothing there. Personally, I dont believe he ever made a willI never heard of it. And I think hed have told me if