the words rambled on , the characters curving and slanting awkwardly under the pen of a reluctant writer- -and as it ran on another line also began to write across the dark , crisply and neatly : dear sir , i have the honour to inform you that i am the sole executer of the estate of the late sir davie thrill , of the manor , mixed blessings , and it appears that you are the sole ... ... ' the voice continued in words so clipped that you could hear the shelves full of legal books behind the desk , but a third line was beginning .