Again he heard, as in a dream, the conversation in the adjoining room.
The attorney was speaking.
"I do not at present feel at liberty to give the source of my information, but I can assure you it is perfectly reliable, and my informant would never have made such an assertion unless he had ample authority to back it up." "I don't care a rap for your information or its source," the other interrupted, impatiently.

"The whole thing is simply preposterous.
The estate descended regularly to Hugh Mainwaring, and from him to our own family as next of kin.

You can see for yourself that to talk of any other claimants having prior rights is an utter absurdity." "Had not Hugh Mainwaring an elder brother ?" "He had; but you must be aware that he died a great many years ago." "But had that elder brother no issue ?" "None living," Mr.Mainwaring replied, coldly.

Then added, in the same tone, "Even had there been, that fact would have no bearing on this case, Mr.Whitney.

The entire estate was transferred to Hugh Mainwaring by legal process before the death of his brother, he and his heirs having been forever disinherited, so that it is the same as though he had never existed." While he was speaking, the secretary entered the library, his pallor and unusual expression attracting Mr.Whitney's attention.