George Bryant lived at Wimbledon, and we found him at home. Much of our conversation went over old ground, and need not be repeated here; but the professor was evidently not very favorably impressed with Bryant. Nor did Bryant appear to think much of Quarles. He smiled contemptuously at some of his questions, and, when asked for permission to visit the house at Norbiton, he said he must consult his brother and sister.
"Except that I am keenly interested in the affair as a puzzle, I don't care one way or the other," said Quarles. "Whether you handle the money or not is immaterial to me, but I have a strong impression that I can find it."
"There are conditions," said Quarles, "and one or two more questions."
"Only twice in ten years, and on each occasion he was not very well--a touch of gout, which was what made him so ill-tempered, I imagine. My brother Charles was with me on one occasion; my sister, I believe, never went there."
"Yet you all expected to profit by his death?"
"His letters certainly gave us to understand that we should, and so far the will was no surprise to us."
"Has the clause in the will which forbids the removal of anything from the house been observed?" Quarles asked.
"Nothing has been taken. Of course the will has been complied with."
"It wasn't with regard to Mr. Ottershaw's cremation."
"We did what we considered to be right, and I refuse to discuss that question. For my own part, I believe if James Sims could be forced to speak the mystery would be at an end. I cannot help feeling that the police have failed in their duty by not having him arrested."
"I daresay that is a question my friend Detective Wigan will refuse to discuss," said the professor. "Do you care to hear my conditions? You can talk them over with your brother and sister when you consider whether I shall be allowed to go over the house or not."
"I shall be glad to know your fee," said Bryant.
For a moment I thought that Quarles was going to lose his temper.
"I charge no fee," he said quietly, after a momentary pause; "but if the money is found through me, you must give ten per cent. for the benefit of imbeciles according to the wish of the deceased, and you must pay me ten per cent. That will leave eighty per cent. for you to divide."