Ashton where he came from. I believe you can get
telegraphic information from Australia within a few hours. Why not go to
the expense--when there's so much at stake? Depend upon it, the real
secret of this murder lies back in the past--perhaps the far past."
"That too shall be done," agreed Mr. Pawle. "I shouldn't be surprised if
you're right."
"In my opinion," remarked Miss Penkridge, dryly, "the robbing of this
dead man was all a blind. Robbery wasn't the motive. Murder was the thing
in view! And why? It may have been revenge. It may be that Ashton had to
be got out of the way. And I shouldn't wonder a bit if that isn't at the
bottom of it, which is at the top and bottom of pretty nearly
everything!"
"And that, ma'am?" asked Mr. Pawle, who evidently admired Miss
Penkridge's shrewd observations, "that is what, now?"
"Money!" said Miss Penkridge. "Money!"
The old solicitor went away, promising to get to work on the lines
suggested by Miss Penkridge, and next day he telephoned to Viner asking
him to go down to his offices in Bedford Row. Viner hurried off, and on
arriving found Mr. Pawle with a cablegram before him.
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