‘I hope, Sir Robert Hazlewood,’ said the Colonel, ‘you do not mean to doubt my word when I assure you that he served under me as cadet in India?’
‘By no means or account whatsoever. But you call him a cadet; now he says, avers, and upholds that he was a captain, or held a troop in your regiment.’
‘He was promoted since I gave up the command.’
‘But you must have heard of it?’
‘No. I returned on account of family circumstances from India, and have not since been solicitous to hear particular news from the regiment; the name of Brown, too, is so common that I might have seen his promotion in the “Gazette” without noticing it. But a day or two will bring letters from his commanding officer.’
‘But I am told and informed, Mr. Pleydell,’ answered Sir Robert, still hesitating, ‘that he does not mean to abide by this name of Brown, but is to set up a claim to the estate of Ellangowan, under the name of Bertram.’
‘Ay, who says that?’ said the Counsellor.
‘Or,’ demanded the soldier, ‘whoever says so, does that give a right to keep him in prison?’
‘Hush, Colonel,’ said the Lawyer; ‘I am sure you would not, any more than I, countenance him if he prove an impostor. And, among friends, who informed you of this, Sir Robert?’
‘Why, a person, Mr. Pleydell,’ answered the Baronet, ‘who is peculiarly interested in investigating, sifting, and clearing out this business to the bottom; you will excuse my being more particular.’