Nor, at the risk of offending you, could I deem him unduly
prejudiced."
"In fact," said Winston dryly, "this man who has not seen me for
fifteen years is desirous of withholding what is mine from me at almost
any cost."
The lawyer nodded. "There is nothing to be gained by endeavoring to
controvert it. Colonel Barrington is also, as you know, a somewhat
determined gentleman."
Winston laughed, for he was essentially a stubborn man, and felt little
kindliness towards any one connected with Courthorne, as the Colonel
evidently was.
"I fancy I am not entirely unlike him in that respect," he said. "What
you have told me makes me the more determined to follow my own
inclination. Is there any one else at Silverdale prejudiced against
me?"
The lawyer fell into the trap. "Miss Barrington, of course, takes her
brother's view, and her niece would scarcely go counter to them. She
must have been a very young girl when she last saw you, but from what I
know of her character I should expect her to support the Colonel."
"Well," said Winston, "I want to think over the thing. We will talk
again to-morrow. You would require me to establish my identity, any
way?"
"The fact that a famous inquiry agent has traced your movements down to
a week or two ago, and told me where to find you, will render that
simple," said the lawyer dryly.
Winston sat up late that night turning over the papers the lawyer left
him and thinking hard. It was evident that in the meanwhile he must
pass as Courthorne, but as the thought of taking the money revolted
him, the next step led to the occupation of the dead man's property.
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