"But where is that will, sir? Statements and memoranda go for nothing, if you can't produce your proofs; and the will itself is the only proof."
"Where it is," I replied, "is best known to Mr. Wilmot, or yourselves, or to both. I never saw it after leaving Mr. Thorneley's study on the evening of the 23d."
The two lawyers turned simultaneously to Wilmot.
"Did you know anything of this transaction, sir?" asked Walker.
"Only so far as came out at the inquest yesterday. Where is the will? I ask. Let Mr. Kavanagh produce it."
There was a world of defiance in his glittering eyes as he rose and faced me.
"Yes," he cried again, with a hard, ringing voice, "let Mr. John Kavanagh produce it."
"Gently, Mr. Wilmot," said Walker in an insinuating voice. "Allow us to deal with this matter; it is really only proper that we should."
"Only proper that we should," echoed old Smith in his peculiar nasal twang.
But Lister Wilmot waved them both imperiously aside; and advancing a step forward, he said with an evident effort to control himself: