"On my return I may have something to tell you that will affect this and the other deeds. Once more, can it wait?"
"Will you sign—yes or no?" said Hugh.
Paul looked steady and straight into his brother's eyes.
"You are draining away my inheritance—you are—"
At this word Hugh's smoldering temper was afire.
"Your inheritance?" he broke out in his bitterest tones. "It is late in the day to talk of that. Your inheritance—"
But he stopped. The expression of audacity gave place to a look of blank bewilderment. Paul had torn the parchment from top to bottom, and flung it on the table, and in an instant was walking out of the room.
CHAPTER IV.
Paul Ritson returned to the stack-yard, and worked vigorously three hours longer. A stack had been stripped by a recent storm, and he thatched it afresh with the help of a laborer and a boy. Then he stepped indoors, changed his clothes, and filled a traveling-bag. When this was done he went in search of the stableman. Natt was in his stable, whistling as he polished his harness.