" Kent sat back and watched the
detective's rapidly changing expression. "And no trace has been
found of the Colonel's securities, last known to be in the
possession of Turnbull."
"Great heavens!" ejaculated Ferguson.
"Which was the forger - Turnbull or Rochester?"
Kent shook a puzzled head. "That is for us to discover," he said
soberly. "Colonel McIntyre contends that Turnbull forged the letter
and stole the securities, then fearing his guilt would become known,
committed still another crime - that of suicide, he could have
swallowed a dose of aconitine while at the police court."
"Well, I'll be - blessed!" ejaculated Ferguson. "But if he was the
forger how does that square with Rochester's peculiar behavior?
The checks bearing your forged signatures were presented, mind you,
by Rochester after Turnbull's death?"
"It doesn't square," acknowledged Kent frankly. "There is this to
be said for Turnbull: he was the soul of honor, his affairs were
found to be in excellent condition, he was drawing a good salary,
his investments paying well - he did not need to acquire securities
or money by resorting to forgery.
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