"I suppose you mean that the will must be made public. Why not? If it is a legitimate document, Mallien must get the money, and if it isn't, my position remains unchanged. In any case, whether Leigh lived or died, what he discovered would have to be shown all round."
"Quite so. But you didn't want it to be shown all round until you looked into the matter privately along with me," argued Carrington, quickly.
"True enough. I should like to have seen the document before Mallien became aware that it existed. However, as things stand, the will is bound to be found, and Mallien is bound to know. We must thresh out the matter openly straightway, and I shall do my best to avoid trouble."
"I don't see how you can avoid it, Hendle. Mallien is not the man to let a chance of getting a fortune go."
"I am sure he isn't," retorted the Squire positively. "And he is certain to make things as disagreeable for me as possible. But if I surrender the property, should the will prove to be legal, I don't see that he can worry me."
"You will lose everything," warned the barrister, significantly.
"Unfortunately, yes."
"Including Miss Mallien."
"I suppose so," admitted the Squire reluctantly. "Even if she remains true to me, as I am sure she will, I can't ask her to marry me on nothing a year."
There was silence for a few minutes as the two men walked into the village, and it was Carrington who spoke first. "I'm awfully sorry for you, old man."