"Tell her," the bland-faced man suggested.
Lonergan went into a lengthy discourse on the legality of wills that left estates to others than the blood relations, and told how there had been times in courts of law when those wills had been contested.
"Bryant's one desire," he went on, "is to leave his outfit to someone and have no question about the will being valid. He wants all four nephews and you to sign to the effect that you relinquish all claims whatsoever to the Basin property for a consideration not described." Lonergan didn't make it as simple as he might have done. He seemed to gloat in the opportunity to air his knowledge of legal phrases and quote from his experiences as a lawyer in the East.
"Doesn't it," asked Penny, "make some difference when the signature is secured by threat of torture?"
Lonergan smiled, "Of course."
"If I don't sign you'll use that red-hot iron on Vince and Jeb."
"That would be hard to prove," suggested Lonergan.
Sawtell broke in impatiently.
"Hurry up and sign—we can't wait all night."