'You put stress upon that,' I observed.
'Undoubtedly, my dear sir. It is an important point.'
'In what way?'
He gave me an odd look, and said: 'The late Mr. Fairhaven must have relations. The will he has made is undoubtedly an eccentric one. Has it occurred to you that its validity may be disputed?'
'No.'
'It will be,' he said dryly; 'and that is the reason why it is important to be able to prove that his intellect was clear to the last. You need have no fear, Mr. Meadow. The will cannot be shaken.'
I thanked him for the assurance, and asked him if he was acquainted with the extent of the property.
'It will probably realise,' he answered, 'not less--yes, I should certainly say not less--than two hundred and thirty thousand pounds.'
'A vast fortune, indeed,' I said, with a beating heart at this confirmation of my hopes.
'And made out of nothing,' he added. 'He commenced life as a poor clerk. I have heard it said of him that whatever he touched turned to gold.'