"My dear," said the lawyer, "isn't all this going to lead us to Colonel Brand?"
"It is going to lead you to the man whom I left at Seven-Oak Waaste."
"Is the colonel at Seven-Oak Waaste?"
"Yes."
"And you here?"
"In spite of etiquette—yes."
The two executors looked at each other as if prepared to hear any insanity after this.
"Have you made a deed of gift of Seven-Oaks to St. Udo, and are you here for more testimonials?" asked Mr. Davenport, helping himself to snuff.
"You have not fathomed my secret at all," answered Margaret, in a repressed tone, though she was in a state of high excitement; "when I willfully left the shelter and the protection of your house, Dr. Gay, it was to fulfil that clause of the will, which says, 'Should St. Udo Brand or Margaret Walsingham die within the year, the property shall revert to the survivor.' I left your house to take possession of Castle Brand."
The executors stared.