Neither had Mr. Hook, but he only threw out the hint to suggest difficulty and complication, and in his simplicity Roland rapidly adopted it.
"Prosecute enquiries in both places," said he; "spare no money—collect and pay in the rents as usual—though not a penny of them shall come to me! You understand me, gentlemen?"
They could better have understood his quietly putting alike the will and confession into the fire.
Why had not his father done so, and spared Roland this season of shame and humiliation, of disappointment and sudden poverty?
But his plans were adopted with decision and rapidity.
"All the old servants will be retained as usual, gentlemen," said he, after a painful pause, during which a swelling seemed to have risen in his throat, "but no new ones will be engaged, and the whole revenue of the estate shall be paid into the bank for the benefit of the real heir, or of his children, if they can be found. I leave all in your hands."
"But you must have some little income out of the estate!" said the astounded lawyers simultaneously.
"Not a penny until I am proved to be indubitably the last and only Ruthven of Ardgowrie and that ilk!" exclaimed Roland with emotion.
"My dear sir, you can't live on your pay," suggested Mr. Hook.
"I will try."