The latter gentleman bowed stiffly and Marchmont continued:

“We have had a letter from Dr. Thorndyke, and it is, I may say, a rather curious letter; in fact, a very singular letter indeed.”

“It is the letter of a madman!” growled Mr. Winwood.

“No, no, Winwood; nothing of the kind. Control yourself, I beg you. But really, the letter is rather incomprehensible. It relates to the will of the late Jeffrey Blackmore⁠—you know the main facts of the case; and we cannot reconcile it with those facts.”