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All day long she sat brooding and only Esther Mawson, now for some time in her full confidence, knew that her brooding was rapidly developing into a monomania. Mrs. Mallathorpe, indeed, had but one thought in her mind the eventual circumventing of Pratt, and the destruction of John Mallathorpe's will.
There were five documents in that envelope Esther examined each with meticulous care. The first was an authority to Linford Pratt to sell certain shares standing in the name of Ann Mallathorpe. The second was a similar document relating to other shares: each was complete, save for Ann Mallathorpe's signature.
Again he lifted the claw-like finger: again he tapped the clerk's arm. "I found John Mallathorpe's will!" he whispered. "His will!" Linford Pratt jumped out of his chair. For a second he stared in speechless amazement at the old man; then he plunged his hands deep into his trousers' pockets, opened his mouth, and let out a sudden exclamation. "No!" he said. "No! John Mallathorpe's will? His will!"
"It's one of those matters that hasn't been understood. You made a mistake, you know, Pratt, when you went to see Mrs. Mallathorpe yesterday in her daughter's absence. You shouldn't have done that." Pratt pulled open a drawer and, after turning over some loose papers, picked out a letter. "Do you know Mrs. Mallathorpe's handwriting?" he asked. "Very well there it is!
Carrying these in one hand, and the bottle of sherry and a glass in the other, she stole quietly back to the disused part of the house, and set her provender before its expectant consumer. Pratt poured out a glassful of the sherry, and drank it eagerly. "Good stuff that!" he remarked, smacking his lips. "Some of old John Mallathorpe's no doubt." "It was here when we came, anyhow," replied Esther.
Now, supposing that the document which Pratt boasts of holding is the will, one fact is very certain the property, real or personal, is not disposed of in the way in which it became disposed of because of John Mallathorpe's intestacy. He probably disposed of it in quite another fashion. Why do I think that?
And during the few minutes which elapsed between his entrance and Mrs. Mallathorpe's, he took the precaution to look behind those curtains, and to survey his surroundings what he had to say was not to be overheard, if he could help it. Mrs. Mallathorpe looked her curiosity as soon as she came in.
Collingwood made no remarks for the moment. He was wondering whether or not to tell what Jabey Naylor had told him about this paper taken from the linen pocket inside the History of Barford. But Mrs. Mallathorpe's ready explanation had given him a new idea, and he rose from his chair. "Thank you," he said. "I suppose that's it.
"I'll withdraw my opinion about the nature of the document which Pratt got hold of," he said. "What he's got is what you think John Mallathorpe's will!" "If I may venture an opinion," remarked Byner, "that's dead certain!" "And now," continued Eldrick, "we're faced with a nice situation! Don't either of you forget this fact. Not out of willingness on her part, but because she's got to do it, Mrs.
And this was one you see, it's in a plain envelope it was sealed, but there's no writing on it. I cut the envelope open, and drew the paper out, and I saw at once it was Mr. John Mallathorpe's will so I came straight to you with it." She handed the envelope over to Nesta, who at once gave it to Eldrick.
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