"Mr. Methley and Mr. Woodlesford, sir," he announced. "By appointment."
CHAPTER XVIII
LET HIM APPEAR!
The meeting between the solicitors suggested to Viner and to Lord
Ellingham, who looked on curiously while they exchanged formal greetings
and explanations, a certain solemnity--each of them seemed to imply in
look and manner that this was an unusually grave occasion. And Mr.
Carless, assuming the direction of things, became almost judicial in his
deportment.
"Well, gentlemen," he said, when they had all gathered about his desk.
"Lord Ellingham has informed me of what passed between you and himself at
his house yesterday. In plain language, the client whom you represent
claims to be the Lord Marketstoke who disappeared so completely many
years ago, and therefore the rightful Earl of Ellingham. Now, a first
question--do you, as his legal advisers, believe in his claim?"
"Judging by the proofs with which he has furnished us, yes," answered
Methley. "There seems to be no doubt of it."
"We'll ask for these proofs presently," remarked Mr. Carless. "But now a
further question: Your client--whom we'll now call the claimant--had, I
understand, no desire to take up his rightful position, and suggests
that the secret shall remain a secret, and that he shall be paid a
hundred thousand pounds to hold his tongue?"
"If you put it that way--yes," replied Methley.
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