"To me!" Mallien dropped into a chair before his desk. "What do you mean?"
"I think you know very well."
"I don't," said the man doggedly and determined to leave all necessary explanation to his cousin. "You speak in riddles."
"We must solve them together." Rupert spoke dryly, then thrust the will under Mallien's nose, "Read that, and tell me what you think."
Out of sheer contrariety the host would have refused, but his curiosity and greed got the better of him, and he eagerly read the document to learn if indeed the Hendle property would come to him. The Squire leaned back in his chair, filling his pipe and watching the various emotions expressing themselves on Mallien's face. Doubt, amazement, satisfaction and exultation all appeared in turn, and when he had mastered the will, he looked at Rupert with an expression of triumph. Mallien felt that he was top-dog at last, and took a malicious delight in emphasizing the agreeable position.
"The property comes to me," he said, beaming with self-satisfaction. "There isn't the least doubt about it."
"So I gather after reading that will," answered Rupert calmly. "John Hendle certainly left everything to Eunice and her descendants. Frederick was illegally in possession of the property."
"And it follows that you are illegally in possession."
"I admit that. But of course as the younger branch, represented by me, has been in possession of the estates for nearly one hundred years, it is quite within my rights to take advantage of the Statute of Limitations."
"Oh, no, you shan't," said Mallien, rolling up the will and thrusting it into his desk, "I am not going to be done out of my rights."