"I see nothing in the way of entire success," said Jaspar, rubbing his
hands with delight at his prospective fortune.
"Nor I," replied De Guy, "except that these witnesses will deny the
substance of it."
"How can they, when they know it not? The colonel, for some reason or
other, would not let them read it or know its purport. Maxwell and
myself are pledged to secrecy. It is upon this fact that I based the
scheme."
"But the will would not be worth a tittle in the law with such
witnesses."
"Bah! the colonel knew no one would contest it. He did it at his own
risk."
"But will they not contest _your_ will?"
"If they do, I shall find the means of proving what the document
affirms, and my case will then stand just as well. As a kind of
assurance for the witnesses my brother affixed a character,--a kind of
cabalistic design,--upon the will, assuring them it was placed on the
will alone. You have a copy of this design?"
"I have. Maxwell gave it to me, and I have practised till I can do it to
perfection. Your brother had an odd way of doing business.
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