The Problem Solver and the Burned Letter

Printed in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, April 1967. Reprinted in the collection The Power Of Illusion
Richard Verner has been asked to come to a very impressive estate where he is met by one of two brothers in the 50s who are vying for control of their father's lucrative business, Margate Mills. In addition to his worries about his own future with the company since his older brother is gaining the upper hand, he worries about the safety of his 80+ year old father. What the client wants was some idea of what his brother is actually planning.