"No one knows. The police are looking into the matter now. He was found dead in his study at seven this morning, and there is a wound on the right temple. So far, the only conclusion arrived at is that some one tried to rob the house, and, being discovered, struck Leigh down." "I can't see that there was anything in the house worth a burglar committing such a crime for," remarked Carrington, taking off his hat. "There wasn't. No one in the village would have attempted a burglary, since Leigh was known to be very poor. Besides, Leigh was too popular for anyone to hurt him. But a stranger----" "Ah," broke in Carrington swiftly, "a stranger. Has any stranger been seen hovering about the Vicarage?" "No. Kensit, our village policeman, was on his rounds as usual last night, but declares that he saw no one." "But some tramp----" "No tramps have been hanging about the village of late." Carrington looked puzzled. "It seems to be a mystery. At what time was the poor chap murdered?" "No one knows. But Dr. Tollart thinks the blow was struck about eleven o'clock last night." "Has the weapon been found?" "No!" "Did that housekeeper hear any noise?" "No! Nothing was known of the murder until she found her master dead near his writing table. The Inspector has been sent for to Tarhaven and will be here shortly. Indeed, I expect he is here now. He will take charge of the house and look into the matter." "Humph!" remarked the barrister thoughtfully. "As I said before, it seems to be a mystery. This Inspector will take charge of all Leigh's books and papers, I suppose." "Yes. Why not?" "Oh, I am not saying against his handling them. But the will----" "The will. Yes?" "Can't you see, Hendle. If this Inspector looks through the papers left by Leigh, which he probably will, he is bound to come across that hundred-year-old testament you mentioned yesterday." Rupert winced. "I expect he will, unless poor Leigh has so carefully mislaid it that it cannot be found. But what if he does?" "Well, then all the fat will be on the fire," said Carrington with an air of finality. "I suppose you mean that the will must be made public. Why not? If it is a legitimate document, Mallien must get the money, and if it isn't, my position remains unchanged. In any case, whether Leigh lived or died, what he discovered would have to be shown all round." "Quite so. But you didn't want it to be shown all round until you looked into the matter privately along with me," argued Carrington, quickly. "True enough. I should like to have seen the document before Mallien became aware that it existed. However, as things stand, the will is bound to be found, and Mallien is bound to know. We must thresh out the matter openly straightway, and I shall do my best to avoid trouble." "I don't see how you can avoid it, Hendle. Mallien is not the man to let a chance of getting a fortune go."