Mr. Asher, the son, might have belonged to the same epoch, in spite of his age, so rusty and smug did he look.
His face was clean-shaven with the exception of side-whiskers; his hair was thin on the top and sparse on the sides, and he was dressed in a suit of solemn black, with a satin tie to match.
In fact, he was the typical lawyer of melodrama, and Steel was surprised to find so ancient a survival in these modern days.
But when they began to talk Asher proved to be quite able to hold his own, and was not at all fossilized in brain, whatever he might be in appearance.
He knew not only the name of Steel, but all about the case and Steel's connection therewith.
He referred in feeling terms to Daisy's death.
"A very charming girl, Mr. Steel," said the young-old lawyer. "On several occasions she has been here to draw her little income.
It is sad that she should have met with her death at the hands of a jealous woman at the very time she was about to enjoy a legacy of five thousand a year."
"You don't say so!" cried Steel, who had heard nothing of this.
"Ah!
Mr. Morley never informed you of the fact."
"Well, no, he didn't; but then, I have not seen him for over a week.
I believe he is at Brighton with his wife. Who left this money to the late Miss Kent?"
"A relative of hers who died lately in Australia."
"And failing her who inherits?"
Mr. Asher reflected.
"I don't know that you have any right to ask that question," he said, after a pause.
"Pardon me," replied the detective. "Miss Kent was murdered.
I fancied that the money might have something to do with the commission of the crime."
"No, Mr. Steel. I read the evidence given at the inquest.
Jealousy was the motive of the crime, and Miss Denham is guilty."
"I am somewhat of that way of thinking myself, Mr. Asher.
And on the face of it there is no other way of accounting for the murder.
Nevertheless it is just as well to look at the matter from all sides.
The crime may be connected with the question of this fortune.
You may as well tell me what I wish to know.
I'll keep my mouth closed."
"Are you going to accuse our client of the crime?" asked Asher dryly. "I fear you will waste your time if you do.
Since you look at the matter in this way, I don't mind speaking about what after all is not your business."
"That is as it may be," returned Steel enigmatically.
Asher passed this remark over.
"Failing Miss Kent, the five thousand a year goes to George Franklin, a brother-in-law of the testator.
We lately received a letter from him, informing us that he intended to claim the money."
"How did he know that he would inherit?"
"We advertised for him.
He is quite unaware of the death of Miss Kent, and I daresay thinks Mr. Powell left the fortune to him direct."
"You can't be certain of his ignorance.
However, let us give him the benefit of the doubt.
Where did he write from?"
"From Florence, in Italy, where he has lived for four years.
He will be in London next week, and if you want to see him——"
"I'll think of it," interrupted Steel. "There may be no need to trouble Mr. Franklin.
At present I am searching for this clerk of yours, who went off with Miss Denham."
The lawyer raised his eyebrows with manifest surprise.
"A clerk of ours, Mr. Steel?
I don't quite follow you."
"I refer to the man who served a judgment summons on Mr. Morley."
"A boy served that," explained Asher. "The boy who showed you in."
Steel stared hard at the solicitor, trying to understand why he had made such a statement.
"But that is absurd," he remarked.