e matter of form."

"I see."

A faint expression of relief swept over John's face. It puzzled me, for
I saw no occasion for it.

"If you know of nothing to the contrary," pursued Mr. Wells, "I had
thought of Friday. That will give us plenty of time for the doctor's
report. The post-mortem is to take place to-night, I believe?"

"Yes."

"Then that arrangement will suit you?"

"Perfectly."

"I need not tell you, my dear Cavendish, how distressed I am at this
most tragic affair."

"Can you give us no help in solving it, monsieur?" interposed Poirot,
speaking for the first time since we had entered the room.

"I?"

"Yes, we heard that Mrs. Inglethorp wrote to you last night. You should
have received the letter this morning."

"I did, but it contains no information. It is merely a note asking me to
call upon her this morning, as she wanted my advice on a matter of great
importance."

"She gave you no hint as to what that matter might be?"

"Unfortunately, no."

"That is a pity," said John.

"A great pity," agreed Poirot gravely.

There was silence. Poirot remained lost in thought for a few minutes.
Finally he turned to the lawyer again.

"Mr. Wells, there is one thing I should like to ask you--that is, if it
is not against professional etiquette. In the event of Mrs. Inglethorp's
death, who would inherit her money?"

The lawyer hesitated a moment, and then replied:

"The knowledge will be public property very soon, so if Mr. Cavendish
does not object----"

"Not at all," interpolated John.

"I do not see any reason why I should not answer your question. By her
last will, dated August of last year, after various unimportant legacies
to servants, etc., she gave her entire fortune to her stepson, Mr. John
Cavendish."

"Was not that--pardon the question, Mr. Cavendish--rather unfair to her
other stepson, Mr. Lawrence Cavendish?"

"No, I do not think so. You see, under the terms of their father's will,
while John inherited the property, Lawrence, at his stepmother's death,
would come into a considerable sum of money. Mrs. Inglethorp left
her money to her elder stepson, knowing that he would have to keep up
Styles. It was, to my mind, a very fair and equitable distribution."

Poirot nodded thoughtfully.

"I see. But I am right in saying, am I not, that by your English law
that will was automatically revoked when Mrs. Inglethorp remarried?"

Mr. Wells bowed his head.

"As I was about to proceed,