"Tke Wing of a crime, or the detection or a crime, what is it? A trial or skill between me police on one side, ana me individual on the otter."
Laken was frowning thoughtfully as he mounted his bicycle. But instead of riding out in the direction of Mars-den Manor, he rode toward the vicarage. An important matter wanted clearing up before he spoke to Charlie Sheridan.
The vicar was among his roses. "Ah, Edward," he said, straightening, a basket of late blossoms in his hand. ' 'Perhaps you would care for a cup of morning tea? A biscuit? I am sure Mrs. Mills can find us a little something."
"Thank you, sir," Laken said, "but I fear I am in a bit of
a hurry. I came to ask you to enlighten me as to the Ardleigh inheritance."
"Ah, yes." The vicar seemed burdened by the thought. "It is very simple, really. Miss Ardleigh-Sabrina Ardleigh- recently made a new will. Her sister Bernice was her previous beneficiary. Owing to difficulties between them, Miss Ardleigh determined to exclude her from inheritance. In her place, she named her niece. There are some minor bequests, of course, but the bulk of the estate goes to Kathryn. As it should," he added. "She is the last Ardleigh."
"I see," Laken said. He kept his face carefully blank. "Do you know, sir, when Miss Kathryn Ardleigh learned of her good fortune?''
The vicar looked at him, a slight frown puckering his forehead. "As a matter of fact, I told her yesterday, after her aunt's death. It was a great shock to her."
"You are sure?"
The vicar's tufted eyebrows rose. "Why, man, you're not suggesting… Of course it was a surprise!" His face filled with consternation. "You can't possibly suspect that young woman of causing the deaths of her aunts!"
"Thank you, sir," Laken said. It spoke well of Miss Ardleigh that the vicar would rise to her defense so readily. But of course it was his business to think the best of any soul. It was Laken's business to think the worst.