“I know nothing about it,” said Allison.
“Then let me have the pleasure of telling you that by this will, you are, on certain conditions, to be put in possession of all of which Mr Brownrig died possessed. There are a few unimportant legacies to friends.” He mentioned the names of several persons, and then went on with his explanations.
Allison understood some things which he said, and some things she neither understood nor heeded. When he came to an end at last, she did not, as he expected, ask what was the condition to which he had referred, but said:
“And what will happen if I say that I can take nothing?”
Mr Rainy looked at her in astonishment.
“That is easily told,” said he, with a queer contortion of his face. “The property of the deceased would go to the next of kin.”
Then Mr Rainy waited to hear more,—waited “to see what it was that she would be at,” he said to himself.
“And it is your place to settle it all, to see that all is put right as it should be?”
“Yes, that is my place, with the help of one or two others. Your friend Doctor Fleming has something to do with your affairs, under the will.”
“What you have to do will be to put the will aside, as if it had never been made. I hope it will not add to the trouble you must have to settle everything without it.”