"To make sure that there is no will already. You have satisfied me, and now I go."
There was a pause.
"Who shall say that I am acting a base part?" said Hugh, in an eager tone.
"Who indeed?"
"Nature itself is on my side."
The man was conquered. He was in the grip of his temptation.
"I am off, Mr. Ritson. Get back into the house. It is not safe for you to be out of sight and sound."
Mr. Bonnithorne was moving off in the darkness, the lamp before his breast; its light fell that instant on Hugh Ritson's haggard face.
"Wait; put out your lamp."
"It's done."