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Page 74
"6. What does Pratt do next? He goes to your office first thing next
morning, and removes certain moneys which you say you carelessly left in
your desk the night before, and tears out certain cheque forms from your
book. When Parrawhite never turns up that morning, you--and
Pratt--conclude that he's the thief, and that he's run away.
"7. If you want some proof of the correctness of this last suggestion,
you'll find it in the fact that no use has ever been made of those blank
cheques, and that--in all probability--the stolen bank-notes have never
reached the Bank of England. On that last point I'm making inquiry--but
my feeling is that Pratt destroyed both cheques and bank-notes when he
stole them.
"8. This man Parrawhite out of the way, Pratt has a clear field. He's
got the will. He's already acquainted Mrs. Mallathorpe with that fact,
and with the terms of the will--whatever they may be. We may be sure,
however, that they are of such a nature as to make her willing to agree
to his demands upon her--and, accidentally, to go to any lengths--upon
which we needn't touch, at present--towards getting possession of the
will from him.
"9. And the present situation--from Pratt's standpoint of yesterday--is
this. He's so sure of his own safety that he doesn't mind revealing to
the daughter that the mother's in his power. Why? Because Pratt, like
most men of his sort, cannot believe that self-interest isn't paramount
with everybody--it's beyond him to conceive it possible that Miss
Mallathorpe would do anything that might lose her several thousands a
year. He argued--'So long as I hold that will, nobody and nothing can
make me give it up nor divulge its contents. But I can bind one person
who benefits by it--Miss Mallathorpe, and for the mother's sake I can
keep the daughter quiet!' Well--he hasn't kept the daughter quiet!
She--spoke!
"10. And last--in all such schemes as Pratt's, the schemer invariably
forgets something. Pratt forgot that there might arise what actually has
arisen--inquiry for Parrawhite. The search for Parrawhite is afoot--and
if you want to get at Pratt, it will have to be through what I firmly
believe to be a fact--his murder of Parrawhite and his disposal of
Parrawhite's body.
"That's all, Mr. Eldrick," concluded Byner who had spoken with much
emphasis throughout. "It all seems very clear to me, and," he added,
with a glance at Collingwood, "I think Mr. Collingwood is inclined to
agree with most of what I've said."
"Pretty nearly all--if not all," assented Collingwood. "I think you've
put into clear language precisely what I feel. I don't believe there's a
shadow of doubt that Pratt killed Parrawhite! And we can--and must--get
at him in that way. What do you suggest?" he continued, turning to
Byner. "You have some idea, of course?"
"First of all," answered Byner, "we mustn't arouse any suspicion on
Pratt's part. Let us work behind the screen. But I have an idea as to
how he disposed of Parrawhite, and I'm going to follow it up this very
day--my first duty, you know, is towards the people who want Parrawhite,
or proof of his death. I propose to----"
Just then Collingwood's clerk came in with a telegram.
"Sent on from the _Central Hotel_, sir," he answered. "They said Mr.
Black would be found here."
"That's mine," said the inquiry agent. "I left word at the hotel that
they were to send to your chambers if any wire came for me. Allow me."
He opened the telegram, looked it over, and waiting until the clerk had
gone, turned to his companions. "Here's a message from my partner, Mr.
Halstead," he continued. "Listen to what he wires:
"'Wire just received from Murgatroyd, shipping agent, Peel Row,
Barford. He says Parrawhite left that town for America on
November 24th last and offers further information. Let me know
what to reply!'"
Byner laid the message before Eldrick and Collingwood without further
comment.
CHAPTER XXII
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