Jonas Barton started.
"I thought Mr. Manning destroyed it," he said, hastily.
"No; he concealed it."
"Is this true?"
"Yes. You see that a part of your information has been forestalled."
"He was a fool, then, and still more a fool to refuse my last demand for money. I accept your offer of a thousand dollars, and will tell all."
"Go on."
"I wrote the will which Mr. Manning presented for probate. It was copied in part from the genuine will."
"Good! And you betray him because he will not pay what you consider the service worth?"
"Yes, sir."