I might have left it to charity. I prefer to leave it to an individual."
He laughed. "Cinderella turned into a princess overnight! A fairy godfather instead of a fairy godmother.
Why not? It's my money. I made it."
Colonel Melchett asked, "Any other bequests?"
"A small legacy to Edwards, my valet, and the remainder to Mark and Addie in equal shares."
"Would - excuse me - the residue amount to a large sum?"
"Probably not.
It's difficult to say exactly; investments fluctuate all the time.
The sum involved, after death duties and expenses had been paid, would probably have come to something between five and ten thousand pounds net."
"I see."
"And you needn't think I was treating them shabbily.
As I said, I divided up my estate at the time my children married. I left myself, actually, a very small sum.
But after - after the tragedy -1 wanted something to occupy my mind. I flung myself into business.
At my house in London I had a private line put in, connecting my bedroom with my office.
I worked hard; it helped me not to think, and it made me feel that my - my mutilation had not vanquished me. I threw myself into work -" his voice took on a deeper note; he spoke more to himself than to his audience - "and by some subtle irony, everything I did prospered!
My wildest speculations succeeded. If I gambled, I won.
Everything I touched turned to gold.
Fate's ironic way of righting the balance, I suppose." The lines of suffering stood out on his face again.
Recollecting himself, he smiled wryly at them. "So, you see, the sum of money I left Ruby was indisputably mine, to do with as my fancy dictated."
Melchett said quickly,
"Undoubtedly, my dear fellow. We are not questioning that for a moment."
Conway Jefferson said, "Good.
Now I want to ask my questions in my turn, if I may.
I want to hear all about this terrible business.
All I know is that she - that little Ruby was found strangled in a house some twenty miles from here."
"That is correct.
At Gossington Hall."
Jefferson frowned.
"Gossington?
But that's -"
"Colonel Bantry's house."
"Bantry!
Arthur Bantry?
But I know him.
Know him and his wife! Met them abroad some years ago.
I didn't realize they lived in this part of the world. Why, it's -" He broke off.
Superintendent Harper slipped in smoothly,
"Colonel Bantry was dining in the hotel here Tuesday of last week. You didn't see him?"
"Tuesday? Tuesday?
No, we were back late.
Went over to Harden Head and had dinner on the way back."
Melchett said, "Ruby Keene never mentioned the Bantrys to you?"
Jefferson shook his head. "Never.
Don't believe she knew them. Sure she didn't.
She didn't know anybody but theatrical folk and that sort of thing." He paused, and then asked abruptly, "What's Bantry got to say about it?"
"He can't account for it in the least.
He was out at a Conservative meeting last night. The body was discovered this morning.
He says he's never seen the girl in his life."
Jefferson nodded. He said, "It certainly seems fantastic."
Superintendent Harper cleared his throat. He said,