Dorothy drew a deep breath. "I knew there was something in it," she said, dully. "I knew you were all keeping something from me… O my God! why does he have to go, anyway? Why can't we break a silly custom, and―"
"Not unless you want to lose the estate," Payne said, gruffly. "Sorry. But that's the way it's arranged. And I have to administer it. I have to deliver several keys — there's more than one door to be got through — to the heir. When he returns them to me, he must show me a certain thing from inside that vault, never mind what, to show me he's really opened it.
Again the lawyer's teeth gripped his pipe hard. The whites of his eyes looked luminous in the dusk.
"Miss Starberth knew all that, gentlemen, whether the rest of you did or not," he snapped. "We grow frank. Very well. Permit me to shout my affairs from the church spire. My father held this trust from the Starberths before me. So did my grandfather, and his grandfather. I state these details, gentlemen, so as not to seem a fool for technicalities. Even if 1 wanted to break the law, I tell you frankly I wouldn't break the trust."
"Well, let him forfeit the estate, then! Do you think any of us would care a snap of our fingers―"
Payne cut her short, testily: "Well, he isn't such a fool, however you and Bert feel about it. Good Lord! girl, do you want to be a pauper as well as a laughingstock? This procedure may be foolish. Very well. But it's the law and it's a trust." He brought the palms of his hands together with a sort of hollow thock. "I'll tell you what is more foolish. Your fears. No Starberth has suffered harm like that since 1837. Just because your father happened to be near the Hag's Nook when his horse threw him―"
"Don't!" the girl said, wretchedly.
Her hand quivered, and Rampole took a step forward. He did not speak; his throat felt hot and sanded with fury. But he thought, If I hear that man's voice a minute longer, by God! I'll break his jaw.
"You've said enough, Payne, don't you think?" grunted Dr. Fell.
"Ah," said Payne. "Just so."