'What sort of thing, Mr. Dockwrath?’
’Well; some secret. I don’t think that your lawyers managed the matter well, Mr. Mason.’
’You think you would have done it better, Mr. Dockwrath?’
‘I don’t say that, Mr. Mason. I was only a lad at the time, and could not have managed it at all, But they didn’t ferret about enough. Mr. Mason, there’s a deal better evidence than any that is given by word of mouth, A clever counsel can tum a witness pretty nearly any way he likes, but he can’t do that with little facts. He hasn't the time, you see, to get round them. Your lawyers, sir, didn’t get up the little facts as they should have done.’
’And you have got them up since, Mr. Dockwrath?’
‘I don’t say that, Mr. Mason. You see all my interest lies in maintaining the codicil. My wife's fortune came to her under that deed. To be sure that’s gone and spent long since, and the Lord Chancellor with all the judges couldn’t enforce restitution; but, nevertheless, I wouldn’t wish that any one should have a claim against me on that account.’
’Perhaps you will not object to say what it is that you do wish?’
‘I wish to see right done, Mr. Mason; that’s all. I don’t think that Lady Mason or her son have any right to the possession of that place. I don't think that that codicil was a correct instrument; and in that case of Mason versus Mason I don’t think that you and your friends got to the bottom of it.’ And then Mr. Dockwrath leaned back in his chair with an inward determination to say nothing more, until Mr, Mason should make some sign.
That gentleman, however, still remained ponderous and heavy, and therefore there was a short period of silence—’And have you got to the bottom of it since, Mr. Dockwrath?’ at last he said.
’I don’t say that I have,’ said the attorney,
‘Might I ask then what it is you purpose to effect by the visit with which you have honoured me? Of course you are aware that these are very private matters; and although I should feel myself under an obligation to you, or to any man who might assist me to arrive at any true facts which have hitherto been concealed, I am not disposed to discuss the affair with a stranger on grounds of mere suspicion,’
‘I shouldn’t have come here, Mr. Mason, at very great expense, and personal inconvenience to myself in my profession, if I had not some good reason for doing so. I don’t think that you ever got to the bottom of that matter, and I can’t say that I have done so now; I haven't even tried. But I tell you what, Mr. Mason; if you wish it, I think I could put you in the way of—trying.’
’My lawyers are Messrs. Round and Crook of Bedford Row. Will it not be better that you should go to them, Mr. Dockwrath?’
