Then it filled slowly with an expression of surprise.
"Rehearsed, by Jove!" murmured Mr.Flexen under his breath, and he could not help admiring the skilful management of that expression of surprise.
It was so unhasty and natural.
"My dear fellow, what on earth are you driving at?
I saw him write it myself," said Mr.Manley in an indulgent tone.
"You forged it," snapped Mr.Flexen.
Mr.Manley looked at him with a new surprise which changed slowly to pity.

Then he said in such a tone as one might use to an unreasonable child: "My good chap, what on earth should I forge it _for ?_" "You knew that he was going to halve Mrs.Truslove's allowance.

You were bent on marrying a woman with money.

You took this way of ensuring that she had money, forged the letter, and murdered Lord Loudwater," said Mr.
Flexen on a rising inflexion.
"By Jove! I see what you're after.

It shows how infernally silly a schoolboy joke can be! Lord Loudwater never talked of halving my wife's allowance.