"This certificate is not necessary," observed Mr. Pakenham; "as in no case, under the provisions of these deeds," he added, pointing to a pile of documents before him, "could that young lady have instituted even a shadow of a claim to this money."
"We had better possess one deed too many, than one too few," said Mr. Stephens, with another bland smile.
"Oh! certainly," exclaimed the Earl. "And this precaution shows the exact condition of the late Mr. Stanford Sydney's family. The daughter is no more: the son lives, and is present."
"Here, then, my lord," continued Stephens, "is the certificate of the birth of Walter Sydney, on the 25th day of November, 1814."
The nobleman examined this document with far more attention than he had devoted to either of the former. He then handed it to Mr. Pakenham, who also scrutinized it narrowly.
"It is quite correct, my Lord," said this gentleman. "We now require two witnesses as to identity."
"I presume his Lordship will receive me as one," observed Mr. Stephens, "considering my intimate acquaintance with all—"
"Oh certainly—certainly," interrupted the Earl hastily.
"And Mr. Mac Chizzle will tender his evidence in the other instance," said Stephens.