"Having got all you can out of him," muttered Miss Berengaria, rubbing her nose. "Well," she added sharply, "are we to go upstairs and witness this will?"
"Yes! Mr. Beryl can't witness as he is the residuary legatee. Nor can Miss Alice, since she is mentioned in the will. But you, Miss Plantagenet, and——"
"And yourself?"
"No. I am the executor."
"Then Maria can witness the will. She is my own maid and can be depended upon. Are you coming, Julius?"
"Thank you, no," said Beryl, with a gentle smile. "I think as I have such a large interest in the will that it is better I should remain away. I shall stay here. And you, Miss Malleson?"
"I shall stop also," said Alice in reply to a look from Durham. "You go up with Mr. Durham, aunt."
"Come along then," said Miss Berengaria, hastening out of the room; "the sooner this is over the better. Ugh! I hate wills. They put me in mind of the family vault, and I can't last long now."
The lawyer followed, and Miss Berengaria led him up a narrow stair which conducted to the turret-room in which the false Bernard was lying. At the foot of this stair she stopped. "Durham," she said abruptly, "do you mean to let this man execute this false will?"
"Yes. I wish Julius Beryl to commit himself beyond recall."