Second--you give me your promise--I'm trusting you--that you'll make no
attempt to seize it. It's not going out of my hands."
"I'm only a woman--and you're a strong man," she retorted sullenly.
"Quite so," said Pratt. "But women have a trick of snatching at things.
And--if you please--you'll do exactly what I tell you to do. Put your
hands behind you! If I see you make the least movement with them--back
goes the will into my pocket!"
If Pratt had looked more closely at her just then, he would have taken
warning from the sudden flash of hatred and resentment which swept
across Mrs. Mallathorpe's face--it would have told him that he was
dealing with a dangerous woman who would use her wits to circumvent and
beat him--if not now, then later. But he was moving the gas bracket over
the mantelpiece, and he did not see.
"Very well--but I had no intention of touching it," said Mrs.
Mallathorpe. "All I want is to see it--and read it."
She obediently followed out Pratt's instructions, and standing in front
of her he produced the will, unfolded it, and held it at a convenient
distance before her eyes. He watched her closely, as she read it, and he
saw her grow very pale.
"Take your time--read it over two or three times," he said quietly. "Get
it well into your mind, Mrs. Mallathorpe."
She nodded her head at last, and Pratt stepped back, folded up the will,
and turning to a heavy box which lay open on the table, placed it
within, under lock and key.
Pages:
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93