Cuthbert called for James Harford at the hour at which he had said he went out to lunch, and told him of the appointment he had made.
"I have been thinking it over, Mr. Hartington, and I should recommend you to bring Cooper with you."
"Who is Cooper?"
"He is one of our greatest experts on handwriting. I don't know whether you have any of your father's letters in your possession."
"Yes, I have several. I brought over the last two I had from him, thinking they might be useful."
"Well, his opinion on the signatures may be valuable, though as a rule experts differ so absolutely that their evidence is always taken with considerable doubt, but it is part of his business to look out for erasures and alterations. It is quite possible Brander may have removed that blot, and that he has done it so well that neither you nor I could detect it; but whether he did it with a knife or chemicals you may be sure that Cooper will be able to spot it, whichever he used. I have very little doubt that your suspicions are correct and those parchments were really the pretended mortgage deeds. If you like I will go round and see Cooper at once and arrange for him to meet us in Coleman Street to-morrow at four o'clock."
"Thank you very much. The idea of the blot being erased had never struck me."
The next day Cuthbert met James Harford and Mr. Cooper at the door of the accountants, and after being introduced by the clerk to the expert they went up together. On giving his name in the office a clerk came across to him.
"If you will come with me, gentlemen, I will lead you to the room that is ready for you. This is the document that you desire to see."
As soon as they were alone they sat down at the table, and opened the deed.