Ralph Mainwaring puffed in silence for a few moments, then removing his cigar and slowing knocking off the ashes, he replied very deliberately,—
"It is my opinion that he and that attorney of his are aware of some possible claimants, of whom we know nothing."
"That is my idea exactly," said Mr. Thornton; "and, don't you know, it has occurred to me that possibly, unknown to us, Harold Mainwaring may have left a child, whose existence is known to Hugh."
"That would cut no figure in this case," Mr. Mainwaring answered, quickly. "Even had there been a living child,—which there was not,—he could make no claim whatever, for Harold was disinherited by his father's will."
"Yes, I know the old gentleman disinherited Harold, but would his heirs have no claim?"
"Not under that will. I was present when it was read, and I remember it debarred 'both him and his heirs, forever.'"
"Poor Harold!" said Mr. Thornton, after a moment's silence; "he was the elder son, was he not?"
"Yes, and his father's favorite. It broke the old man's heart to disinherit him. He failed rapidly after that occurred, and he never was the same towards Hugh. I always thought that accounted for Hugh's selling the old place as he did; it had too many unpleasant memories."
"Harold died soon after that unfortunate marriage, I believe."
"Yes; he learned too late the character of the woman he had married, and after the death of their only child, he left her, and a few years later was lost at sea."