"I do not see much that is hopeful about it, but we will try what the law can do. If the law decides that Captain Everard is not the heir, we have no help for it. I will look over all the deeds deposited with me, but to my recollection I have no certificate or copy of certificate of Mr. Tom Everard's marriage. He must have been very young at the time, at all events. An older man would probably have taken more care of so important a document. However, I will see Mr. Sleech, and endeavour to persuade him that he cannot justly at present push his claims. We must proceed cautiously, for although you are in possession, I fear that he can prove himself to be heir-at-law." Mr. Wallace had left the house some time before the Sleeches returned. They came in by the garden entrance, and walked without ceremony into the study, where Mabel and her aunt were still sitting. "Well, we have had a good look round the grounds, Ann, and I have come to the conclusion that the colonel did not make half as much of the property as he might have done. Why, I can tell you, eight thousand pounds' worth of timber might be cut down--Silas says ten thousand, but I think that he is a little over the mark--without doing any harm to the place, and there are no end of improvements he and I have been proposing." "No one must venture to cut down timber on this property without the leave of my nephew, the captain," said Madam Everard, drawing herself up. "Well, that's as may be, Ann," answered Mr. Sleech, with a forced laugh. "He who has the right to the property will have the right to cut down the trees, or law's not law. However, that's neither here nor there. What I want to know, Ann, is when you and Mabel will be ready to pack up bag and baggage and turn out. There's that bow-windowed house in the town, half-way up the street, which would just suit you two spinster ladies, and the fact is that my daughters and my sons and I have rather a fancy to come and take up our quarters here. We have been kept out of the place a pretty long number of years, and you see, in my opinion, it's time we had our rights." "When our legal adviser considers that we have no longer a right to remain in this house, Mabel and I will immediately leave it," answered the old lady, with dignity. "I am sure such would be Captain Everard's wish. In the meantime, I must request, Mr. Sleech, that you and your son will bring this interview to a conclusion. As relatives I would have made you welcome; but I cannot feel that you are justified in thus coming to insult my niece and me. I must therefore request that you will take your departure." "As you like, Ann, as you like," exclaimed Mr. Sleech, swinging about his hat, which he had lifted from the ground. "It won't be for long, I can tell you; we shall soon be back again, I have an idea." Silas endeavoured to shake hands with Mabel with a smile which he intended to be insinuating, but she indignantly turned from him.