"Sir,--I beg to enclose you Bank of England notes value three hundred and fifty pounds (viz., three of 100_l_. each and one of 50_l_.) in full discharge of the claim standing in your books against my name. This I do in preference to forwarding you a cheque for the amount. You will understand what I mean when I tell you that a few hours ago I had a long interview with our mutual friend, Mr. ----. I have retained the documents brought by him for my examination, as to the authenticity of which it is not needful that I should enter into any particulars. Kindly acknowledge the receipt of my enclosure by return, and at the same time forward, through registered post, the important document belonging to me which you have still in your possession.
"To a person of your business tact and experience I need scarcely remark that in a delicate matter like the present discretion is a most laudable virtue.
"Well, my dear, and what do you make of it?" asked Mrs. Melray, after staring silently at Fanny for several seconds.
"On the face of it, it seems a very mysterious production, and I confess that I don't in the least know what to make of it. The date of it is just a fortnight before Mr. Melray's death."
"So it is. That is a point which failed to strike me at the moment. But what is meant by 'our mutual friend, Mr. ----'? Is the name omitted?"
"Not omitted, but owing to a fault in copying, it is so smudged as to be illegible."
"That is a pity, but of course it can't be helped." Then, after a few moments of silent consideration, she added: "I think this is a case as to which it may be advisable to consult my son. What say you?"
"Then you are inclined to attach some importance to the paper?"
"I am inclined to attach very great importance to it."
"In that case, will you be good enough to ring the bell?"
But Robert Melray was no more able to make head or tail of the paper found by Fanny than his mother had been. "The name of the person to whom the letter is addressed is altogether strange to me," he said; "but that is hardly to be wondered at, seeing that I don't know more than half-a-dozen people in all Solchester. I think we had better ask Cray to come upstairs, and ascertain whether he can throw any light on the affair."
