book, determined
to carry it with him to Carmarthen in his pocket. But when he
attempted to enclose it in an envelope for the purpose, his mind
misgave him and he restored it. Hateful as was the property to him,
odious as were the house and all things about it, no sooner did the
doing of the act by which he was to release himself from them come
within the touch of his fingers, than he abandoned the idea. At such
moments the estate would again have charms for him, and he would
remember that such a deed, when once done, would admit of no recall.
"I am glad to see you, Mr Jones," said the attorney as his client
entered the inner office. "There are a few words which must be
settled between you and me before the day comes, and no time has
to be lost. Sit down, Mr Ricketts, and write the headings of the
questions and answers. Then Mr Jones can initial them afterwards."
Mr Ricketts was the clerk who had come out to Llanfeare. Cousin Henry
sat silent as Mr Ricketts folded his long sheet of folio paper with
a double margin. Here was a new terror to him; and as he saw the
preparations he almost made up his mind that he would on no account
sign his name to anything.
The instructions to be given to Mr Balsam were in fact very simple,
and need not here be recapitulated. His uncle had sent for him to
Llanfeare, had told him that he was to be the heir, had informed him
that a new will had been made in his favour. After his uncle's death
and subsequent to the funeral, he had heard a will read, and under
that will had inherited the property. As far as he believed, or
at any rate as far as he knew, that was his uncle's last will and
testament. These were the instructions which, under Mr Apjohn's
advice, were to be given to Mr Balsam as to his (Cousin Henry's)
direct evidence.
Then Cousin Henry, remembering his last communication to Farmer
Griffith, remembering also all that the two Cantors could prove,
added something on his own account.
"I saw the old man writing up in his room," he said, "copying
something which I knew to be a will. I was sure then he was going to
make another change and take the property from me." "No; I asked him
no questions. I thought it very cruel, but it was of no use for me to
say anything." "No; he didn't tell me what he was about; but I knew
it was another will. I wouldn't condescend to ask a question. When
the Cantors said that they had witnessed a will, I never doubted
them. When you came there
|