"No, sir."
"It is evidently Mrs. Oakley's intention that you you should not be allowed to communicate with me, or any of your other friends in Hampton. So, no doubt, she has instructed her brother. There must be some motive for this."
Squire Selwyn looked thoughtfully at John as he said this, perhaps with a view of drawing out John's opinion.
"I think," said John, hesitatingly, "that she is going to look for the will."
"I won't say whether I agree with you or not," said Squire Selwyn, cautiously. "It is not best to charge any one with wrong thoughts or intentions too hastily, but it is well to be prepared for what may be done to our disadvantage. Of course it is for your interest that the will should be found, provided the discovery is made public."
"Yes, sir."
"But would Mrs. Oakley make it public, if found, when it is for her interest to keep it concealed? That is an important question."
"She can do what she pleases so far as I am concerned. She has sent me away from home, where I shall know nothing that is going on."
"In one sense you are wholly in the power of your stepmother," said the lawyer; "but you will have some one to look after your interests. Your father was my friend, and you are my son's friend. I shall do what I can in your behalf."
"Thank you, sir," said John, gratefully. "I felt sure you would, and that is why I wrote to you at once."