“You have been truly taught,” I answered; “and if really entitled to the property you claim, I know of no masterful men that in this land of England can hinder you from obtaining possession of it.  Come to my hotel in about an hour and a-half from hence:  I shall then have leisure to hear what you have to say.  This fee,” I added, taking the two guineas from the hand of the attorney, who still held the money ready for my acceptance, “you must permit me to return.  It is too much for you to pay for losing your cause; and if I gain it—­but mind I do not promise to take it into court unless I am thoroughly satisfied you have right and equity on your side—­I shall expect a much heavier one.  Mr. Barnes, I will see you, if you please, early in the morning.”  I then bowed, and hastened on.

Dinner was not ready when I arrived at the hotel; and during the short time I had to wait, I more than half repented of having had anything to do with this unfortunate suit.  However, the pleadings of charity, the suggestions of human kindness, reasserted their influence; and by the time my new clients arrived, which they did very punctually at the hour I had indicated, I had quite regained the equanimity I had momentarily lost, and, thanks to mine host’s excellent viands and generous wine, was, for a lawyer, in a very amiable and benevolent humor indeed.

Our conference was long, anxious, and unsatisfactory.  I was obliged to send for Barnes before it concluded, in order to thoroughly ascertain the precise nature of the case intended to be set up for the defendant, and the evidence likely to be adduced in support of it.  No ray of consolation or of hope came from that quarter.  Still, the narrative I had just listened to, bearing as it did the impress of truth and sincerity in every sentence, strongly disposed me to believe that foul play has been practised by the other side; and I determined, at all hazards, to go into court, though with but faint hope indeed of a present successful issue.

“It appears more than probable,” I remarked on dismissing my clients, “that this will is a fabrication; but before such a question had been put in issue before a jury, some producible evidence of its being so should have been sought for and obtained.  As it is, I can only watch the defendant’s proof of the genuineness of the instrument upon which he has obtained probate:  one or more of the attesting witnesses may, if fraud has been practised, break down under a searching cross-examination, or incidentally perhaps disclose matter for further investigation.”

“One of the attesting witnesses is, as I have already told you, dead,” observed Barnes; “and another, Elizabeth Wareing, has, I hear, to-day left the country.  An affidavit to that effect will no doubt be made to-morrow, in order to enable them to give secondary evidence of her attestation, though, swear as they may, I have not the slightest doubt I could find her if time were allowed, and her presence would at all avail us.”