Hang this claimant! Now we can tell if Wickham really was Lord
Marketstoke. If necessary, we can have his body exhumed and examined."
"It was a shooting accident," continued Mr. Carless. "He was out shooting
in the park at Ellingham when a boy of fourteen or fifteen; he was using
an old muzzle-loading gun; it burst, and he lost his second finger--the
right hand. It was, of course, very noticeable. Now, that small but very
important fact is most likely not known to Methley and Woodlesford's
client--but it's known to Driver and to Portlethwaite and to me, and now
to all of you. If this man comes here--look at his right hand! If he
possesses his full complement of fingers, well--"
Mr. Carless ended with a significant grimace, and Mr. Pawle, nodding
assent, returned to the question which he was putting when Lord Ellingham
interrupted him.
"Now let us settle the point I raised," he said. "Are we to tell Miss
Wickham what my conclusions are, or are we to leave her in ignorance
until we get proof that they are correct?"
"Or--incorrect!" answered Mr. Carless with an admonitory laugh. "I should
say--at present, tell her nothing.
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