style="font-size:15px;"> Hugh smiled faintly. "Good; we will discuss the certificates first," he said, and drew his dressing-gown leisurely about him.
Mr. Bonnithorne began to unfold some documents. He paused; his eye was keen and bright; he seemed to survey his dear friend with some perplexity; his glance was shadowed by a certain look of distrust; but his words were cordial and submissive, and his voice was, as usual, low and meek. "What a wonderful man you are. And how changed! It is only a few months since I had to whip up your lagging spirits at a great crisis. And now you leave me far behind. Not the least anxious! How different I am, to be sure. It was this very morning my correspondent sent me the copies, and yet I am here, five miles from home. And when the post arrived I declare to you that such was my eagerness to know if our surmises were right that – "
Hugh interrupted in a quick, cold voice: "That you were too nervous to open his letter, and fumbled it back and front for an hour – precisely."
Saying this, Hugh lifted his eyes quickly enough to encounter Mr. Bonnithorne's glance, and when they fell again a curious expression was playing about his mouth.
"Give me the papers," said Hugh, and he stretched forward his hand without shifting in his seat.
"Well, really, you are – really – "
Hugh raised his eyes again. Mr. Bonnithorne paused, handed the documents, and shuffled uneasily into a seat.
One by one Hugh glanced hastily over three slips of paper. "This is well," he said, quietly.
"Well? I should say so, indeed. What could be better? I confess to you that until to-day I had some doubts. Now I have none."
"Doubts? So you had doubts?" said Hugh, dryly "They disturbed your sleep, perhaps?"
The lurking distrust in Mr. Bonnithorne's eyes openly displayed itself, and he gazed full into the face of Hugh Ritson with a searching look that made little parley with his smile. "Then one may take a man's inheritance without qualm or conviction?"
Hugh pretended not to hear, and began to read aloud the certificates in his hand. "Let me see, this is first – Registration of Birth."
Mr. Bonnithorne interrupted. "Luckily, very luckily, the registration of birth is first."
Hugh read:
"Name, Paul. Date of birth, August 14, 1845. Place of birth, Russell Square, London. Father's name, Robert Lowther. Mother's name, Grace Lowther; maiden name, Ormerod."
"Then this comes second – Registration of Marriage."
Mr. Bonnithorne rose in his eagerness and rubbed his hands together at the fire. "Yes, second," he said, with evident relish.
Hugh read calmly:
"Allan Ritson – Grace Ormerod – Register's office, Bow Street, Strand, London – June 12, 1847."
"What do you say to that?" asked Mr. Bonnithorne, in an eager whisper.
Hugh continued without comment. "And this comes last – Registration of Birth."
"Name, Hugh – March 25, 1848 – Holme, Ravenglass, Cumberland – Allan Ritson – Grace Ritson (Ormerod)."
"There you have the case in a nutshell," said Mr. Bonnithorne, dropping his voice. "Paul is your half-brother, and the son of Lowther. You are Allan Ritson's heir, born within a year of your father's marriage. Can anything be clearer?"
Hugh remained silently intent on the documents. "Were these copies made at Somerset House?" he asked.
Mr. Bonnithorne nodded.
"And your correspondent can be relied upon?"
"Assuredly. A solicitor in excellent practice."
"Was he told what items he had to find, or did he make a general search?"
"He was told to find the marriage or marriages of Grace Ormerod and to trace her offspring."
"And these were the only entries?"
Mr. Bonnithorne nodded again.
Hugh twirled the papers in his fingers, and then placed two of them side by side. His face wore a look of perplexity. "I am puzzled," he said.
"What puzzles you?" said Mr. Bonnithorne. "Can anything be plainer?"
"Yes. By these certificates I am two and a half years younger than Paul. I was always taught that there was only a year between us."
Mr. Bonnithorne smiled, and said in a superior tone:
"An obvious ruse."
"You think a child is easily deceived – true!"
Mr. Bonnithorne preserved a smiling face.
"Now, I will proceed to the payment of the legacy, and you, no doubt, to the institution of your claim."
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