"Pshaw! that is all right, I know as much about these things as you do.
However, we can talk of that later.
Meantime cast your eye over that," and he placed a document on the table.
"A judgment summons for five hundred pounds," said Steel, with a whistle. "Did he serve this?"
"Yes," replied Morley, returning to his seat with a gloomy face. "You will see that it is dated three days before he came to me.
I have outrun the constable, and have the greatest difficulty in keeping my head above water.
This man—I don't know his name—said that he came from those solicitors——"
"'Asher, Son, and Asher,'" read out the detective.
Morley nodded.
"Of twenty-two, St. Audrey's Inn.
A firm of sharpers I call them.
The money has certainly been owing a long time, but I offered to pay off the sum by degrees.
They refused, and insist upon immediate payment.
If they would only wait until the war is over, my South African shares would go up and there would be a chance of settling the matter.
But they will not wait.
I expect a bankruptcy notice next."
"I am very sorry for you, Mr. Morley, and of course, I shall not betray the confidence you have placed in me; but the point is, what is the name of the man who served this?"
"I don't know; I never asked him his name.
He entered by the front door and served this here.
I sent him out by the window, so that the servants should not see him again.
He had the look of a sheriff's officer, and one can't be too careful here.
I believe Mrs. Parry pays my servants to tell her what goes on in my house.
I didn't want her to learn about this summons."
"I can easily understand that," replied the detective; "and I see now why you let the man out by the window.
You left the room with him?"
"Yes.
I didn't say anything much at the inquest beyond that he was a visitor, and I was relieved when I found that no questions were asked.
But I walked with him to the end of the terrace and saw him go down the avenue.
Then I returned to this room, and found Miss Denham waiting by the desk.
I asked her what she wanted.
She asked for her wages, as she was leaving the next day.
I had no ready money, and promised to see to it before she departed.
Then she went out, and shortly afterwards Miss Kent came in to say she had seen the man go down the avenue.
She asked me who he was, and I was rather short with her, poor creature!" and Morley sighed.
"I wonder why the man went to church."
"I can't say that; but I can guess that when he knew who Daisy was he wanted to speak to her."
"What about?" asked Steel eagerly.
"About me and the summons.
You see, Steel, there is a half-uncle of Daisy Kent's who went to Australia.
He said that if he made his fortune he would leave the money to her.
Whether he is dead or alive I don't know, but certainly she did not get any money left to her.
Powell's solicitors are Asher, Son, and Asher——"
"Powell?
I thought the uncle would be called Kent, unless, of course, he was uncle by the mother's side."
"I said half-uncle," said Morley dryly. "Powell is his name—William Powell—and his solicitors are those who issued that judgment summons.
I expect the clerk wanted to tell Daisy about my position and warn her against lending me money.
As though I should have asked the girl for sixpence!"
"I don't see why this clerk should warn Miss Kent."
"Well, you see, Daisy had a hundred a year, and they pay it to her.
As she might one day be an heiress, I suppose they think it as well to keep an eye on her.