“There, your honor, is a most unwilling witness, but one who has very effectively confirmed my testimony!”

The greatest confusion followed, several women having fainted from nervous excitement, and, as it was then nearly noon, the court adjourned until the afternoon session.

CHAPTER XXI

THE LAST THROW

There being no further testimony in the case, but little time was occupied by Mr. Sutherland at the afternoon session.  Briefly and forcibly he summarized the evidence already adduced, emphasizing the strongest points and closing with numerous citations bearing upon the case taken from recent decisions of the highest legal authorities.

Several days would be required for consideration of the case pending the decision of the court, and as the crowd surged out into the corridors and diffused itself through the various exits, there was much speculation as to what that decision would be and what would be the action taken by the opponents.  Among the clubmen who had made the acquaintance of Ralph Mainwaring, heavy bets were offered that he would contest the case before the will was even admitted to probate.

“He is a fool if he does,” said one; “the young fellow has the best show.”

“He’ll not give up, however,” was the reply; “he’s got too much of the bull-dog about him; nothing will make him break his hold till he has spent his last shilling.”

“Well, he’ll spend it for nothing, that’s all!” said another.  “I’ll wager you a dinner for the whole club that the young fellow will beat him.  Anybody that knows Sutherland, knows he hasn’t played his trump card yet; and you may rest assured that English lawyer isn’t over here as a figure-head!”

Ralph Mainwaring, passing hastily from the court-room, accompanied by Mr. Whitney, overheard the last remark.  His only reply, however, was a look of scorn flashed at the speaker, but the sardonic smile which lingered about his closely compressed lips betokened on his part no anticipations of defeat, but rather the reverse.  Even Mr. Whitney wondered at his silence, but young Mainwaring, leisurely following in the rear, knew it to be only the calm which presages the coming storm.

His father, followed by the attorney, stepped quickly into the Mainwaring carriage and beckoned impatiently for him to follow, but the younger man coolly declined the invitation.

“No, thank you, governor.  I’m going for a bit of a stroll; I’ll join you and Mr. Whitney at dinner.”

As the carriage rolled away he stood for a few moments lost in thought.  His father’s words to him that morning had stung his pride and aroused in him a spirit of independence altogether new, which had made him the more keen in observing his father’s expressions and movements, and in drawing his own deductions therefrom.  He had formed some theories of his own, and as he now stood in the soft, autumnal sunshine, he resolved to put them to the test.