"Just like him. But the Statute of Limitations----"
"I shall not take advantage of that," interrupted Hendle firmly. "If the will does make Mallien the heir by descent, he shall have the property."
"But, my dear man," cried the barrister, starting to his feet, "that is quixotic. Why leave yourself without a penny, especially when Mallien is such an unamiable person?"
"It's hard, I grant," replied Rupert ruefully; "yet, as an honest man, what else can I do?"
"It seems to me that there is a limit to honesty," said Carrington tartly. "I scarcely think that I could act so quixotically if I had to do with the matter. However, we can discuss this point when the will is in your possession, and we can make sure that what Leigh says is true. When do you hope to get it?"
"Well, I don't know. Leigh said that he had mislaid it and would search for it, so I have called this morning on the chance that he might have found it. He was absent attending to a dying woman, and of course I couldn't interrupt him at his business. I left a message that I would call again when I returned this evening."
"When do you return?"
"By the seven o'clock train. I shall arrive in time for dinner. I told Mrs. Beatson that I would dine at eight."
"If Leigh finds the will, I presume he will bring it to you this evening at The Big House?"
"He might and he might not. And in any case I shall call."