"I think not. I believe it was freely and fairly done, before competent witnesses."
"Very well, sir. Now be so good as to observe that the date of this last entry in the memorandum-book is the same as that attached to Mr. Falconer's signature on the deeds which transferred the estate of the Falcon Range. If one is open to suspicion, so is the other, seeing that both were written on the same day. Why it may happen, after all, that the proceeding was illegal, and that neither father nor son had any right to sell the estate at all!"
"Oh, pray don't be alarmed about that," said the lawyer: "the sale is valid enough."
"I am not in the least alarmed, sir; only suggesting that your insinuation, if proved, would prove too much, and endanger the whole of Mr. Geoffrey Falconer's proceedings for some years past."
Mr. Penacre contemplated the candle, smoothing his brow as if he were straightening matters in his mind, and conscious that his city notions of the mental calibre of country squires were sustaining a decided shock.
"Well, sir," said he, "the deed must be produced first. Let us see that, for without it, you have no shadow of right to make a claim on the purchase money of the Falcon Range. And even if produced, I fear there is little left now to reward the suit."
"There are other lands yet held in Mr. Falconer's name," said the Squire.
"True, but the last shred of the fine old property passes away almost immediately: the purchase money lies ready, and then the name of the Falconers is expunged from the list of British landowners."
"I protest against any payment to Mr. Falconer of money raised upon the sale of property here, until this claim is investigated and settled," said Mr. Hazelwood; "and I suppose if there is to be litigation, you will prefer to work with funds in hand."
"I certainly shall," said Mr. Penacre, smiling; "at the same time regretting that a gentleman like you should be caught by the popular delusion, which supposes that we only endorse a case which bears our own interests on its title page; however, if people will be wrong-headed, I cannot help it. Produce this deed, and I promise you that Mr. Falconer must look elsewhere for his defence against the widow and the fatherless."