Then he said:
"I am glad there were so many present at the finding of the deed, and I think I will take the precaution of sealing it in your presence. May I ring for sealing-wax and paper?"
He rang the long silent bell, and a servant, at his request, brought the required articles.
Then, with due formality, the man of law folded the document and sealed it, using a seal of Violet's for the purpose.
"Now," he said, looking at his watch, "as it is important and only reasonable that we should learn the contents, I should recommend that Mr. Beal, the solicitor at Tenby, be telegraphed for. I would rather that another legal adviser as well as myself were present at the reading.
"I will telegraph at once," said the captain, gravely, as the party passed out of the room, which was locked and screwed up as it had been before.
In a very short time Mr. Beal, the Tenby solicitor, arrived.
Mr. Beal was the exact opposite to Mr. Thaxton in appearance and demeanor. He was astute, but a gentleman of the old legal school, and he had risen from a heavy dinner at the special summons with not a little of ill-humor.
"This is a singular discovery," said Mr. Beal. "Of course, it has considerably surprised you, madam."
Mrs. Mildmay murmured "Yes," and the lawyer, after conferring for a moment, broke the seal.