"Fearful shock to any man," said one. "No wonder he has lost heart and grown reckless," said another.
"On becoming aware of this fact, he was anxious to relinquish the estate to the true heir."
There were further nods, and some muttered comments on the requirements of honor.
"I show you here a copy of the register of my father's marriage, and a copy of the register of my own birth, occurring less than a year afterward. From these, in the absence of extraordinary testimony, it must be the presumption that I am myself my father's rightful heir."
The papers were handed about and returned with evident satisfaction.
"So far, all is plain," continued Hugh Ritson. "But my brother has learned that he is not even my father's son."
Three astonished faces were lifted from the table. Bonnithorne sat with head bent. Drayton leaned an elbow on one knee and smoked sullenly.
"It turns out that he is the son of my mother by another man," said Hugh Ritson.
The guests twisted about. "Ah, that explains all," they whispered.
"You will be surprised to learn that my mother's husband by a former invalid marriage was no other than Robert Lowther, and that he who sits with us now as Paul Ritson is really Paul Lowther."