"So I understand from Dr. Gray," returned the Inspector. "All the same, we shall have to look into the matter, and I should think the easiest way of doing it would be to get in touch with his old servant, Kennedy. Do you happen to know where he can be found?" Colin, who was watching closely, thought that he detected a faint change of expression in the solicitor's face. If so, it passed away instantly. "I haven't any idea," was the reply. "I am afraid it's very likely that he's dead. He was partly paralyzed when he left the Professor's service, and I don't imagine he would have lasted for more than a few months." The Inspector walked to the window and for a moment or two stared thoughtfully out into the garden. "What about the estate?" he asked, turning round suddenly. "Who comes into the property?" Mr. Medwin shrugged his shoulders. "There again I am completely at sea. I presume that it passes to the next of kin, but who that fortunate person may be I haven't the remotest notion." "Hasn't Mr. Carter made a will?" "Not that I'm aware of. I suggested to him several times that he ought to take some steps in the matter, but he always made the excuse that he was too busy to be bothered about it at the moment. As so often happens in these cases, the opportunity has now gone by for ever." "Then if no one comes forward the money passes to the Crown?" "That is so; but it's not a situation which is likely to occur. In view of the large fortune at stake some claimant is certain to put in an appearance." The Inspector raised his eyebrows. "A large fortune, eh?" he repeated. "Can you give us any idea of what it amounts to?" Mr. Medwin reflected. "The Professor has been saving money for years," he said slowly. "He drew a big income from his various patents, and his personal expenditure was comparatively trifling. Some of his experiments were naturally rather costly, but, all the same, there can be no doubt that he was an extremely wealthy man. As a rough estimate I should say that he was worth at least a couple of hundred thousand pounds." CHAPTER SIX "We find that Professor Carter was wilfully murdered by some person or persons unknown." The foreman of the jury, a stout, pompous little man who was evidently pleased with his temporary importance, announced the verdict in a loud and impressive voice. A moment's silence followed as the Coroner wrote down the words, and then, amid a general murmur of voices and shuffling of papers, the crowded court commenced to break up. Colin, who was sitting on one of the back benches, remained in his place while the building slowly emptied itself. At last, just as it was clearing, the Inspector and Mr. Medwin appeared together in the gangway, and, picking up his hat, he stepped out to join them. The solicitor was the first to speak.