“What I say is,” said Melchett, “Live and let live. Of course, the law’s the law, but it never hurts to give a man the benefit of the doubt. That’s what Protheroe never did.”
“He prided himself on it,” I said.
There was a pause, and then I asked:
“What is this ‘astounding bit of news’ you promised me?”
“Well, it is astounding. You know that unfinished letter that Protheroe was writing when he was killed?”
“Yes.”
“We got an expert on it—to say whether the 6:20 was added by a different hand. Naturally we sent up samples of Protheroe’s handwriting. And do you know the verdict? That letter was never written by Protheroe at all. ”
“You mean a forgery?”
“It’s a forgery. The 6:20 they think is written in a different hand again—but they’re not sure about that. The heading is in a different ink, but the letter itself is a forgery. Protheroe never wrote it.”
“Are they certain?”
“Well, they’re as certain as experts ever are. You know what an expert is! Oh! but they’re sure enough.”
“Amazing,” I said.
Then a memory assailed me.
“Why,” I said, “I remember at the time Mrs. Protheroe said it wasn’t like her husband’s handwriting at all, and I took no notice.”