But she, not knowing
where to look for the expenses of her husband's illness, took five pounds
from Faversham, and never dared tell either of her sons."
"All perfectly straightforward and natural," said Tatham.
Marvell looked worried.
"Yes. But you see how the thing may be twisted by men like those
two--curs!--who have just been here. You saw them? They came, ostensibly,
to answer my questions as to whether they could point us to any one
with a particular grudge against Mr. Melrose."
"They could have named you a hundred!" interrupted Tatham.
"No doubt. But what their information in the end amounted to"--the chief
constable came to stand immediately in front of Tatham, lowering his
voice--"was that the only person with a really serious motive for
destroying Melrose, was"--he jerked his thumb in the direction of
Faversham's sitting-room--"our friend! They claim--both of them--to have
been spectators of the growing friction between the two men. Nash says
that Melrose had spoken to him once or twice of revoking, or altering
his will; and both of them declare that Faversham was quite aware of the
possibility. Of course these things were brought out apologetically--you
understand!--with a view of 'giving Mr. Faversham the opportunity
of meeting the reports in circulation,' and so on--'calming public
opinion'--and the rest of it. But I see how they will work it up! Then,
of course, that the man got access to the house through Faversham's
room--Faversham's window left open, and the light left burning--by his
own story--is unfortunate.
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