"To whom did he leave it?"
"Ah, that's a question," said Mr. Dobie, taking his penknife out to trim the top of one of his filbert nails. "There was a nephew made his unexpected appearance on the estate last winter--a son of the elder brother----"
"I have heard," interrupted George North: "Anthony Castlemaine."
"Just so. Well, he thought Greylands' Rest was his; wanted to put in a claim to it; but Mr. Castlemaine wouldn't allow it at any price. The claimant disappeared in some queer manner--you have no doubt heard of it--and James Castlemaine retains undisturbed possession. Which is said to be nine points of the law, you know."
"Then, you do not know how it was left? whether it is legally his?"
Mr. Dobie shook his head. "I'd not like to bet upon it, either way. If forced to do so, I'd lay it against him."
"You think it was left to Anthony Castlemaine," said George North quickly. "That is, to Anthony's father; Basil, the eldest brother."
"What I think is, that if Mr. Castlemaine could show he had any right to it, he would show it, and put an end to the bother," spoke Mr. Dobie.
"But he should be made to do this."
The clerk lifted his eyes from his nails, his eyebrows raised in surprise. "Who is to make him?"