``Oh no. She had reason to change the one she made right after Mr. Meeker's death. Her estate had grown considerably. She wanted to make a more equitable distribution of it among the groups that would benefit the most; particularly the scholarship fund. At the time the will was drawn Mr. Hohlbein mentioned to me how mentally alert she seemed for her age, knowing just what changes she wanted made and so forth.''

Garth hesitated. ``Mr. Hohlbein and I have noticed some lapses since, though. Most of them this past year, I'd say. Even two or three years ago I doubt that she'd have become involved in this unfortunate Johnston affair. She'd have consulted us, you see. She always did before, and showed the utmost confidence in whatever we advised.''

The inspector nodded, doubting this. Mrs. Meeker hadn't struck him as ready to seek anyone's advise, least of all Garth's. With her sharp tongue she'd have cut his pompousness to ribbons. It would have been Hohlbein who handled her affairs.

Madden settled back to read the will.

He skimmed over the millions that went to Meeker Park, Medfield Hospital, the civic center, the Public Health Nursing Association, the library, and so on, pausing when he came to the scholarship fund. Two millions were added to what had been set aside for it in Mrs. Meeker's lifetime, and the proviso made that as long as Brian Thayer continued to discharge his duties as administrator of the fund to the satisfaction of the board of trustees (hereinafter appointed by the bank administering the estate) he was to be retained in his present capacity at a salary commensurate with the increased responsibilities enlargement of the fund would entail.