Should she die by violence or accident, this money went to her "faithful servant and friend, Martha Wakeling." It was evident she had feared violence--apparently from her nephew--and it was significant that her papers proved that, although Jardine knew he was her heir, he was not aware of the condition.
Before the day fixed for the hearing of the adjourned inquest I went to see Christopher Quarles.
I had nearly finished the story before he showed any interest, and then we went to the empty room, with Zena with us, where I had to tell the tale all over again. He had to have his own way, or there was nothing to be got out of him at all.
"Was there no information to be had from Sarah Paget?" he asked, when I had finished.
"Did Mrs. Jardine keep much money in the house?"
"Then the companion was likely to get little by murdering her mistress," said Quarles.
"Either she did it in a fit of uncontrollable passion," I said, "or the motive was revenge."
"Possible solutions," returned the professor, "but robbed of their weight when we consider the motives which Thomas Jardine and Martha Wakeling had."
"One moment, Wigan; I am not theorizing, I am using facts. By murdering his aunt, Jardine lost her money----"
"He inherited three or four thousand a year," I interrupted.
"Which was mortgaged up to the hilt or over it; he told you so himself. Mrs. Jardine's money would have been very useful to him, and by killing her he would lose all chance of it."
"So far as we know," Quarles answered. "I don't think we must consider that point as proved. Now take Martha Wakeling's position. By the violent death of her mistress she will come into this money. Was there any provision for her in the will if Mrs. Jardine died a natural death?"
"You appreciate the enormous difference," said Quarles with that exasperating smile he had when he thinks he has driven his opponent into a corner.
"At any rate, we have no reason to suppose that Jardine did know the condition," I returned. "I do not believe he committed the murder, but I am inclined to think he and Mrs. Harrison are accomplices."
"A theory--my method, Wigan. Very good, but by the handwriting on that envelope you have tried to establish a connection between Jardine and Mrs. Harrison, and have failed."
