“As afore said, sir; and people—I mean your lawyers and guardians—’ll believe it. They won’t be so shabby as to say you were under age when they have lots of your money in trust.”
Richard stared at the man, half-stunned.
“There, Sir Richard, don’t let’s make a fuss and a lot of unpleasantry about a trumpery little amount like that, when it is all so easy for you.”
“I say I’ve never had the money. Go to Mr Mark Frayne.”
“But don’t you see as that’s as good as saying he’s been a-swindlin’ of me? And if I goes to my lawyer and lays it all before him, he’ll be for putting it in court, or p’raps worse; and it would go very hard on Mr Mark. I’m afraid they wouldn’t treat it as if it were a debt; they might say—”
“Silence!”
“That’s what I says, sir. His father a parson, too; and it wouldn’t do Mr Draycott no good. Hadn’t you better sign?”
“Without seeing my cousin first and making him explain? No. Take away your papers at once.”
“To my lawyers, sir?”
Richard hesitated.