"
"As the late Mr. Kingsnorth's legal adviser, I must strongly object
to such a course," protested the indignant lawyer.
"All the same, Mr. Hawkes, I feel compelled to take it, and I must
ask you to act under my instructions."
"Really," exclaimed Mr. Hawkes; "I should much prefer to resign from
my executorship."
"Nonsense. In the interests of all parties, we must act together and
endeavour to carry out the dead man's wishes."
The lawyer considered a moment and then in a somewhat mollified
tone, said:
"Very well, Sir Gerald. If you think it is necessary, why then by
all means, I shall concur in your views."
"Thank you," replied the Chief Executor.
Mrs. Chichester came into the room and went straight to Jerry. At
the same time, Alaric burst in through the garden and greeted Jerry
and Hawkes.
"I heard you were here--" began Mrs. Chichester.
Jerry interrupted her anxiously: "Mrs. Chichester, I was entirely to
blame for last night's unfortunate business. Don't visit your
displeasure on the poor little child. Please don't."
"I've tried to tell her that I'll overlook it. But she seems
determined to go. Can you suggest anything that might make her stay?
She seems to like you--and after all--as you so generously admit--it
was--to a certain extent your fault"
Before Jerry could reply, Jarvis came down the stairs with a pained-
-not to say mortified--expression on his face.
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