Page:The Specimen Case.djvu/132

Rh "I beg to differ, Mr. Frobisher," rapped out a prominent unfriendly.

"I shall at once proceed to lodge a caveat," announced another defiantly.

"I put in a formal protest," declared a third.

"Quite so, gentlemen; I note your objections," continued the lawyer imperturbably. "Now, Mr. Frank," taking up a paper which appeared to contain half-a-dozen paragraphs, "are you prepared to adopt by deed poll the name of Basset?"

"Certainly not," I replied. "I don't see why on earth I should adopt the name of Basset. There is nothing particularly attractive about it. My own is quite"

"There is no need for you to disparage my name, Frank," exclaimed the girl indignantly. "It is one to which you have been materially indebted in the past."

That was the worst of my position. On the others also my reply had a remarkable effect. For some reason every friendly at once became hostile and every unfriendly adopted a sympathetic attitude. Numerically I gained, but I preferred the old allies.

"As Mr. Staples repudiates that condition" struck in an ex-unfriendly.

"We will nevertheless go on," replied the lawyer grimly. "Will you, Mr. Staples, in the event of your benefiting, continue the Basset claim to the Thorneywood estate?"

A great deal seemed to hang on that, by the breathless interest with which my reply was awaited. I had to answer one way or the other. I took what seemed to be the simplest course.

"No, I won't," I replied. And to cut discussion short I added, "I decline to state my reasons."

Despair and satisfaction again swept over the contending forces, but which lot I had pleased and which