“Then, under the will, Miss Cowper now gets half Mr. Prinsep’s share. Does she get half Mr. George’s share also?” “No, a part of it goes to Mrs. George, and the remainder in both cases to the next of kin.” “I see. And who is the next of kin.” “Joan’s step-father, Mr. Walter Brooklyn.” “Ah! I think you mentioned that Mr. Walter Brooklyn was on bad terms with Mr. Prinsep.” “Walter Brooklyn was on bad terms with most people who knew him. His step-daughter left him after her mother’s death, and came to live with Sir Vernon. I am afraid Walter Brooklyn is not a very likeable person.” “On what terms was he with Sir Vernon?” “He was always trying to get money from him. He had ran through one big fortune, his wife’s—including all the money left in trust for Miss Cowper. He leads a fairly expensive life in town, supported, I understand, partly by his bridge earnings and partly on what he can raise from his friends.” “Did Sir Vernon give him money?” “Yes, far more than I thought desirable. But Sir Vernon had a very strong sense of family solidarity. Latterly, however, Walter Brooklyn’s demands had become so exorbitant that Sir Vernon had been refusing to see him, and had handed the matter over to Prinsep, whom Walter was finding a much more difficult man to deal with.” “Do you know whether Prinsep had been seeing Mr. Walter Brooklyn lately?” “Yes; I know he saw him the day before the murder. Walter was always after money. He’ll probably begin sponging on Miss Cowper in a day or two.” “You certainly do not give Mr. Walter Brooklyn a good character.” “No; but I think every one you ask will confirm my estimate.” “I will look into that. Now, are there any other particulars in the will I ought to know about? I should like to know approximately what Sir Vernon is worth.” “Not far short of a million.” “You don’t say so. Then any one interested in his will had a great deal at stake. Are any others interested besides those you have mentioned?” “There are a number of smaller legacies. Miss Cowper was left £40,000. My sister, Miss Mary Woodman, and I are left £20,000 each. The rest are quite small legacies.” “I think that is almost all I need ask you. But is there any other particular you think might help me in my inquiry?” “As to that, I cannot say; but there are two points I have been intending to mention. The first is that I know Mr. Walter Brooklyn called at Liskeard House a few minutes after ten on the night of the murder. My wife and I saw him go up to the porch and ring the bell just after we had come out of the house.” “This is very important. Do you know anything more?” “No, it was merely a chance that I noticed him and pointed him out to my wife. Mr. and Mrs. George may also have seen him. They were with us. He went into the hall. That is all I can tell you.” “Where did you go when you left the house?”