Nobody could tell how the question of the property would be decided till his father should have died.  His father had treated him most cruelly, and he would only wait for his death.  He could assure the boot-maker that when that time came he should look for his rights.  He knew that there was a suspicion abroad that he was in a conspiracy with his father and brother to cheat his creditors.  No such thing.  He himself was cheated.  He pledged himself to the boot-maker that, to the best of his belief, his father was robbing him, and that he would undoubtedly assert his right to the Tretton property as soon as the breath should be out of his father’s body.  The truth of what he told the boot-maker he certainly did believe.  There was some little garnishing added to his tale,—­which, perhaps, under the circumstances, was to be forgiven.  The blow had come upon him so suddenly, he said, that he was not able even to pay his card account, and had left town in dismay at the mine which had been exploded under his feet.  The boot-maker believed him so far that he undertook to supply his orders.

When the dinner had been eaten the two brothers lit their cigars and drew to the fire.  “There must, unfortunately, come an end to this, you know,” said Augustus.

“I certainly can’t stand it much longer,” said Mountjoy.

“You, at any rate, have had the best of it.  I have endeavored to make my little crib comfortable for you.”

“The grub is good, and the wine.  There’s no doubt about that.  Somebody says somewhere that nobody can live upon bread alone.  That includes the whole menu, I suppose.”

“What do you suggest to do with yourself?”

“You said, go abroad.”

“So I did—­to Rio.”

“Rio is a long way off,—­somewhere across the equator, isn’t it?”

“I believe it is.”

“I think we’d better have it out clearly between us, Augustus.  It won’t suit me to be at Rio Janeiro when our father dies.”

“What difference will his death make to you?”

“A father’s death generally does make a difference to his eldest son, particularly if there is any property concerned.”

“You mean to say that you intend to dispute the circumstances of your birth?”

“Dispute them!  Do you think that I will allow such a thing to be said of my mother without disputing it?  Do you suppose that I will give up my claim to one of the finest properties in England without disputing it?”

“Then I had better stop the payment of that money, and let the gentlemen know that you mean to raise the question on their behalf.”

“That’s your affair.  The arrangement is a very good one for me; but you made it.”

“You know very well that your present threat means nothing.  Ask Mr. Grey.  You can trust him.”

“But I can’t trust him.  After having been so wickedly deceived by my own father, I can trust no one.  Why did not Mr. Grey find it out before, if it be true?  I give you my word, Augustus, the lawyers will have to fight it out before you will be allowed to take possession.”