Driver. "Any other idea is out of the
question. It seems to me most remarkable that such a notion as that which
you suggest should ever enter your head, sir. If you are Earl of
Ellingham, you are!"
"And that reminds me," said Mr. Carless, "that there is another
question I should like to ask. Why, knowing that we have been legal
advisers to your family for several generations, did you not come
straight to us, instead of going--Mr. Methley, I'm sure, will pardon
me--to a firm of solicitors which, as far as I know, has never had any
connection with it!"
"I thought it best to employ absolutely independent advice," replied the
visitor. "And I still think I was right. For example, you evidently do
not admit my claim?"
"We certainly admit nothing, at present!" declared Mr. Carless with a
laugh. "It would be absurd to expect it. The proofs which your solicitors
showed us this morning are no proofs at all. That those papers belonged
to the missing Lord Marketstoke there is no doubt, but your possession of
them at present does not prove that you are Lord Marketstoke or Lord
Ellingham. They may have been stolen!"
The claimant rose from his chair with a good deal of dignity.
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