in an off-hand way like that. These matters have to be considered a great deal. It is not only the extent of the property. There is much more than that in it, Mr. Round.'
'If you don't tell me what there is in it, I don't see what we are to do. I am sure you did not give yourself the trouble of coming up here from Hamworth merely with the object of telling us that you are going to hold your tongue.'
'Certainly not, Mr. Round,'
’Then what did you come to say?'
'May I ask you, Mr. Round, what Mr. Mason has told you with reference to my interview with him?'
'Yes; I will read you a part of his letter—"Mr. Dockwrath is of opinion that the will under which the estate is now enjoyed is absolutely a forgery." I presume you mean the codicil, Mr. Dockwath?'
'Oh yes! the codicil of course.'
'"And he has in his possession documents which I have not seen, but which seem to me, as described, to go far to prove that this certainly must have been the case." And then he goes on with a description of dates, although it is clear that he does not understand the matter himself—indeed he says as much. Now of course we must see these documents before we can give our client any advice,' A certain small portion of Mr. Mason's letter Mr. Round did then read, but he did not read those portions in which Mr. Mason expressed his firm determination to reopen the case against Lady Mason, and even to prosecute her for forgery if it were found that she had anything like a fair chance of success in doing so. 'I know that you were convinced,' he had said, addressing himself personally to Mr. Round senior, 'that Lady Mason was acting in good faith, I was always convinced of the contrary, and am more sure of it now than ever.' This last paragraph, Mr. Round junior had not thought it necessary to read to Mr. Dockwrath.
'The documents to which I allude are in reference to my confidential family matters; and I certainly shall not produce them without knowing on what ground I am standing.'
'Of course you are aware, Mr. Dockwrath, that we could compel you.'
'There, Mr. Round, I must be allowed to differ.'
'It won't come to that, of course. If you have anything worth showing, you'll show it; and if we make use of you as a witness, it must be as a willing witness.'
'I don't think it probable that I shall be a witness in the matter at all.'
'Ah, well; perhaps not. My own impression is that no case will be made out; that there will be nothing to take before a jury.'
'There again, I must differ from you, Mr. Round.'
