“An excellent man. There’s no better lawyer in the State,” Harlowe responded heartily. “But I occasionally find it best to deal directly with a client. We lawyers, you know, are sometimes unwisely obstinate, and lead our clients into unnecessary trouble. As you are the person chiefly concerned in this matter, I came directly to you. I did this because in that former matter you were so quick to see the justice of my—er—request.”
Her amazement at his effrontery almost equalled her curiosity as to what lay behind his deliberate approaches.
“It is generally known that Mr. Farley was a man of violent temper,” he went on. “Some of his old friends on the river remember him well, and you may never have known—and I am sorry to be obliged to mention so unpleasant a fact—that his mother died insane. That is a matter of record, of course. The malady from which Mr. Farley suffered for many years is one that frequently affects the mind. No doubt living with him here, as you did, you noticed at times that he behaved oddly—didn’t conduct himself quite normally?”
Remembering Eaton’s instructions she acquiesced without offering any comment. His designs, she now assumed, were not personal to herself, but directed against Farley’s estate.
“I represent two cousins of Mr. Farley’s who live in my county. Very worthy men they are; you may have heard Mr. Farley speak of them.”
“Yes; I knew about them. I sent them telegrams advising them of his death.”
“That was very thoughtful on your part, Miss Farley, and they appreciate it. But by reason of their poverty they were unable to attend the funeral. They asked me to thank you for thinking of them. Several times during the past twenty years Mr. Farley had advanced them small sums of money—an indication of his kindly feeling toward them.”
“I didn’t know of that; but it was like papa.”
“In case Mr. Farley left a will, it is my duty to inform you, that you may have time for reflection before taking up the matter with Mr. Thurston, that we are prepared to attack it on the ground of Mr. Farley’s mental unsoundness. I assume, of course, that Mr. Farley made a handsome provision for you, but quite possibly he overlooked the natural expectations of his own kinsfolk.”
She merely nodded, thinking it unnecessary to impart information while he continued to show his hand so openly.