Well, I should say--personally, mind--he's quite
competent to do all that, and that he'll do it honestly, I should
certainly say so."
"But--why should he do it at all?" asked Nesta.
Eldrick waved his hands.
"Ah!" he exclaimed. "Now you ask me a very different question! But--I
understand--in fact, I know--that Pratt turns out to be a relation of
yours--distant, but it's there. Perhaps your mother--who, of course, is
much better off since your brother's sad death--is desirous of
benefiting Pratt--as a relation."
"Do you advise anything?" asked Nesta.
"Well, you know, Miss Mallathorpe," replied Eldrick, smiling. "I'm not
your legal adviser. What about Mr. Robson?"
"Mr. Robson is so very angry about all this--with my mother," said
Nesta, "that I don't even want to ask his advice. What I really do want
is the advice, counsel, of somebody--perhaps more as a friend than as a
solicitor."
"Delighted to give you any help I can--either professionally or as a
friend," exclaimed Eldrick. "But--let me suggest something. And first of
all--is there anything--something--in all this that you haven't told to
anybody yet?"
"Yes--much!" she answered. "A great deal!"
"Then," said Eldrick, "let me advise a certain counsel. Two heads are
better than one. Let me ask Mr. Collingwood to come here."
He was watching his visitor narrowly as he said this, and he saw a faint
rise of colour in her cheeks.
Pages:
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175