"May I know them?"
"No, Charles. They were told to me in confidence, and they concern neither you nor me. Is the gas out in the next room?"
"Yes. Shall I light it?"
"It is not worth while. That hand-lamp of yours will do. I only want to put up the will."
I took the lamp, and lighted Mr. Brightman into the front room, his own exclusively. He opened the iron safe, and there deposited Sir Ralph Clavering's will, to be left there until it should be proved.
That is sufficient explanation for the present. Sir Edmund Clavering, shown up by Lennard himself, came into the room. I had never acted for him; Mr. Brightman had invariably done so.
"Can you carry my business through, Mr. Strange?" he asked, after expressing his shock and regret at Mr. Brightman's sudden fate.
"I hope so. Why not, Sir Edmund?"
"You have not Mr. Brightman's legal knowledge and experience."
"Not his experience, certainly; because he was an old man and I am a young one. But, as far as practice goes, I have for some time had chief control of the business. Mr. Brightman almost confined himself to seeing clients. You may trust me, Sir Edmund."