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Page 72
"I think your mother would naturally be very anxious to secure such a
document," he said. "You must remember that according to Pratt's story
to you, she tried to buy it from him--just as you did yourself, though
you, of course, had no idea of what it was you wanted to buy."
"What I wanted to buy," she answered readily, "was necessity from
further interference! But--is there no way of compelling Pratt to give
up that document--whatever it is? Can't he be made to give it up?"
"A way is may be being made, just now--through another affair," replied
Collingwood. "At present matters are vague. One couldn't go to Pratt and
demand something at which one is, after all, only guessing. Your mother,
of course, would deny that she knows what it is that Pratt holds.
But--there is the possibility of the duplicate to which Cobcroft
referred. Now, I want to put the question straight to you--supposing
that duplicate will can be found--and supposing--to put it plainly---its
terms dispossess you of all your considerable property--what then?"
"Do you want the exact truth?" she asked. "Well, then, I should just
welcome anything that cleared up all this mystery! What is it at
present, this situation, but intolerable? I know that my
mother is in Pratt's power, and likely to remain so as long as ever this
goes on--probably for life. She will not give me her confidence. What is
more, I am certain that she is giving it to Esther Mawson--who is most
likely hand-in-glove with Pratt. Esther Mawson is always with her. I am
almost sure that she communicates with Pratt through Esther Mawson. It
is all what I say--intolerable! I had rather lose every penny that has
come into my hands than have this go on."
"Answer me a plain question," said Collingwood. "Is your mother fond of
money, position--all that sort of thing?"
"She is fond of power!" replied Nesta. "It pleased her greatly when we
came into all this wealth to know that she was the virtual
administrator. Even if she could only do it by collusion with Pratt, she
would make a fight for all that she--and I--hold. It's useless to deny
that. Don't forget," she added, looking appealingly at Collingwood,
"don't forget that she has known what it was to be poor--and if one does
come into money--I suppose one doesn't want to lose it again."
"Oh, it's natural enough!" agreed Collingwood. "But--if things are as I
think, Pratt would be an incubus, a mill-stone, for ever. Anyway, I came
out to tell you what I've learned, and what I have an idea may be the
truth, and above all, to get your definite opinion. You want the Pratt
influence out of the way--at any cost?"
"At any cost!" she affirmed. "Even if I have to go back to earning my
own living! Whatever pleasure in life could there be for me, knowing
that at the back of all this there is that--what?"
"Pratt!" answered Collingwood. "Pratt! He's the shadow--with his deep
schemes. However, as I said--there may be--developing at this
moment--another way of getting at Pratt. Gentlemen like Pratt, born
schemers, invariably forget one very important factor in life--the
unexpected! Even the cleverest and most subtle schemer may have his
delicate machinery broken to pieces by a chance bit of mere dust getting
into it at an unexpected turn of the wheels. And to turn to plainer
language--I'm going back to Barford now to hear what another man has to
say concerning certain of Pratt's recent movements."
Eldrick was already waiting when Collingwood reached his chambers: Byner
came there a few moments later. Within half an hour the barrister had
told his story of Cobcroft, and the inquiry agent his of his visit to
the _Green Man_ and the quarries. And the solicitor listened quietly and
attentively to both, and in the end turned to Collingwood.
"I'll withdraw my opinion about the nature of the document which Pratt
got hold of," he said. "What he's got is what you think--John
Mallathorpe's will!"
"If I may venture an opinion," remarked Byner, "that's dead certain!"
"And now," continued Eldrick, "we're faced with a nice situation! Don't
either of you forget this fact. Not out of willingness on her part, but
because she's got to do it, Mrs. Mallathorpe and Pratt are partners in
that affair. He's got the will--but she knows its contents. She'll pay
any price to Pratt to keep them from ever becoming known or operative.
But, as I say, don't you forget something!"
"What?" asked Collingwood.
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