Sherlock Holmes looked appraisingly at the client who was sitting opposite him in our Baker Street rooms. “And you wish me to believe that your grandfather intended for you to be the heir of his property and not your cousin.”

“That is correct, Mr Holmes. Despite what you may have heard, I am his rightful heir.”

“I see. And could you tell me when the will which names you as heir was written?”

“It was in the January of last year, before he succumbed to what would prove his last illness.”

“Ah, yes.” There had been rumours that the old man had been poisoned, but there was no direct evidence and Holmes was not consulted until some months after the burial. He had his suspicions, but nothing sufficient for an exhumation to be ordered.

“Would it surprise you to learn that this document shows that there was a new will which was written in the August naming your cousin as sole heir?”

The client reached across, snatched the paper out of Holmes’ hand and threw it on the fire. The flames swiftly consumed it. “I think you will find that particular document no longer exists,” he said. “Thank you, Mr Holmes, for being so obliging in this matter. Now there is no longer anything to overrule my claim via previous will.”

And with that he left our rooms.

“But Holmes,” I expostulated as soon as he had gone. “Why didn’t you try to save the document?”

“Why should I?” Holmes asked with a half smile. “It was merely a copy of the will. The original is still locked securely in a safe deposit box. And in addition, you are an independent witness that he sought to destroy the evidence.”

“I’m pleased to hear it,” I said. I paused and then added, “You could say his hopes have gone up in flames.”