‘Perhaps in no complimentary terms?’
‘Well, you know the late Baronet was a man of strong passions, and, when annoyed, I must admit that his language was what we might call a little unparliamentary.’
‘It is about his business I have called. You are aware there is an heir?’
‘Oh yes; Colonel Strahan, the brother.’
‘I don’t mean him. A son.’
‘A son! Impossible. The deceased baronet had only one son, and the fine fellow—’
‘Is now alive.’
‘Nonsense, my dear sir. He was buried in the family vault, after the doctor and the family were satisfied of his identity, and I was present at the funeral. There was a coroner’s inquest held in order to leave no room for doubt.’
‘I think not,’ said Wentworth, as he proceeded to unfold the details of his case, to which the lawyer listened at first with a severely judicial air, and then with an incredulous smile.
‘Is that all you’ve got to say?’ he asked, when Wentworth had finished his statement.