“Well,” said Stephen, “I don’t know that I ought to say that.  Perhaps I am exaggerating the difference.  I am thinking of Uncle Jeffrey as he was when I saw him last and of uncle John as he appeared at the inquest.  They were very different then.  Jeffrey was thin, pale, clean shaven, wore spectacles and walked with a stoop.  John is a shade taller, a shade greyer, has good eyesight, a healthy, florid complexion, a brisk, upright carriage, is distinctly stout and wears a beard and moustache which are black and only very slightly streaked with grey.  To me they looked as unlike as two men could, though their features were really of the same type; indeed, I have heard it said that, as young men, they were rather alike, and they both resembled their mother.  But there is no doubt as to their difference in character.  Jeffrey was quiet, serious and studious, whereas John rather inclined to what is called a fast life; he used to frequent race meetings, and, I think, gambled a good deal at times.”

“What is his profession?”

“That would be difficult to tell; he has so many; he is so very versatile.  I believe he began life as an articled pupil in the laboratory of a large brewery, but he soon left that and went on the stage.  He seems to have remained in ‘the profession’ for some years, touring about this country and making occasional visits to America.  The life seemed to suit him and I believe he was decidedly successful as an actor.  But suddenly he left the stage and blossomed out in connection with a bucket-shop in London.”

“And what is he doing now?”

“At the inquest he described himself as a stockbroker, so I presume he is still connected with the bucket-shop.”

Thorndyke rose, and taking down from the reference shelves a list of members of the Stock Exchange, turned over the leaves.

“Yes,” he said, replacing the volume, “he must be an outside broker.  His name is not in the list of members of ‘the House.’  From what you tell me, it is easy to understand that there should have been no great intimacy between the two brothers, without assuming any kind of ill-feeling.  They simply had very little in common.  Do you know of anything more?”

“No.  I have never heard of any actual quarrel or disagreement.  My impression that they did not get on very well may have been, I think, due to the terms of the will, especially the first will.  And they certainly did not seek one another’s society.”

“That is not very conclusive,” said Thorndyke.  “As to the will, a thrifty man is not usually much inclined to bequeath his savings to a gentleman who may probably employ them in a merry little flutter on the turf or the Stock Exchange.  And then there was yourself; clearly a more suitable subject for a legacy, as your life is all before you.  But this is mere speculation and the matter is not of much importance, as far as we can see.  And now, tell me what John Blackmore’s relations were with Mrs. Wilson.  I gather that she left the bulk of her property to Jeffrey, her younger brother.  Is that so?”