"I think you should take time and turn the matter over in your mind," observed Carrington artfully. "It is just as well to be cautious."
"I don't see what I gain by waiting," argued the Squire. "The most honest thing to do is to take the will to the lawyers. I shall have to do that sooner or later, you know."
"Will you?" questioned Carrington significantly.
"Of course. What do you take me for?"
If Carrington had spoken his mind, he would have answered that he took the young man for a superfine fool. To throw away a fine position, a fine house, and a fine income out of sheer honesty, was not Carrington's notion of common sense. But then the barrister's notions of right and wrong had become somewhat warped by a struggling life. A penniless man is always more unscrupulous in dealing with money matters than one who has never been poor, and it seemed to Carrington that his friend's self-sacrificing honor was the result of ignorance. Had Hendle lived from hand to mouth, he would not be so ready to surrender his possessions. Moreover Carrington wanted to pick Rupert's pockets, as Mallien surmised he would. This was the real reason why he urged Hendle not to strip himself of his wealth. But such urging had to be done delicately, for the Squire was by no means a man to be handled easily. With this in his mind the barrister replied carefully, and did not translate his real thoughts into words.
"I take you for one of the best fellows in the world," he said warmly; "but there is such a thing as overdoing honesty, you know."
"I don't know," retorted the other positively. "One must be one thing or the other. There can be no tampering with honor."
"Of course not. I should never suggest such a thing. However, I do suggest that you should wait for a day or so before seeing your lawyer."
"Why?"
"You forget that the will is mixed up with a crime. If your lawyers decide that Mallien must have the money, the matter is bound to be made public. In that case it will become known to Lawson that Leigh possessed the will. I leave you to guess what complications will ensue."