“It is one thing to make the claim, and another to substantiate it,” sneered Allan Roscoe.
“Precisely so, Mr. Roscoe,” said Mr. Parchment. “We quite agree with you. Shall I tell you and your learned counsel what we are prepared to prove?”
Mr. Roscoe nodded uneasily.
“We have the affidavits of the lady with whom your brother boarded in Sacramento, and in whose house my young client was born. We have, furthermore, the sworn testimony of the clergyman, still living, who baptized him, and we can show, though it is needless, in the face of such strong proof, that he was always spoken of in his infancy by Mr. and Mrs. Roscoe as their child.”
“And I have my brother’s letter stating that he was only adopted,” asserted Allan Roscoe.
“Even that, admitting it to be genuine,” said Mr. Parchment, “cannot disprove the evidence I have already alluded to. If you insist upon it, however, we will submit the letter to an expert, and—”
“This is a conspiracy. I won’t give up the estate,” said Allan, passionately.
“We also claim that there is a conspiracy,” said Mr. Parchment, smoothly, “and there is one circumstance that will go far to confirm it.”
“What is that?” demanded Allan Roscoe.
“It is the attempt made upon my young client’s life in San Francisco by an agent of yours, Mr. Roscoe.”