CHAPTER VI.
Jeffrey Blackmore, Deceased Having made the above proposition, Thorndyke placed a fresh slip of paper on the blotting pad on his knee and looked inquiringly at Mr.
Marchmont; who, in his turn, sighed and looked at the bundle of documents on the table.
"What do you want to know ?" he asked a little wearily.
"Everything," replied Thorndyke.

"You have hinted at circumstances that would account for a change in Jeffrey's habits and that would explain an alteration in the character of his signature.

Let us have those circumstances.

And, if I might venture on a suggestion, it would be that we take the events in the order in which they occurred or in which they became known." "That's the worst of you, Thorndyke," Marchmont grumbled.

"When a case has been squeezed out to the last drop, in a legal sense, you want to begin all over again with the family history of every one concerned and a list of his effects and household furniture.