"What's the law that says I must give it up to you, 'stead of yer cousin? _If_ there's a will it may say anythin'--in yer favour or out of it. If there ain't, you'll git 'alf. The will might give you more, or it might give you less, or it might give you nothink. Twenty pound for first look at it 'fore Flint comes in, and do what you like with it 'fore he knows anythink about it." Again the knocking came at the door, this time supplemented by kicks. "But I don't carry twenty pound about with me!" protested Cater, waving his fists. "Give me the will and come to my office for the money to-morrow!" "No tick for this sort of job," answered Greer decisively. "Sorry I can't oblige you--I'm goin' down to the front door." And he made as though to go. "Well, look here!" said Cater desperately, pulling out his pocket-book. "I've got a note or two, I think----" "'Ow much?" asked Greer, calmly laying hold of the pocket-book. "Two at least. Two fivers. Well, I'll let it go at that. Give us hold." He took the notes, and pulled out the will from his pocket. Flint, outside, battered the door once more. "Why," exclaimed Cater as he glanced over the sheet, "I'm sole executor and I get the lot! Who are these witnesses?" "Oh, they're all right. Longshore hands just hereabout. You'll get 'em any day at the 'Ship and Anchor.'" Cater put the will in his breast-pocket. "You'd best get out o' this, my man," he said. "You've had me for ten pound, and the further you get from me the safer you'll be." "What?" said Greer with a chuckle. "Not even grateful! Shockin'!" He took his way downstairs, and Cater followed. At the door Flint, a counterpart of Cater, except that his dress was more slovenly, stood ragefully. "Ah, cousin," said Cater, standing on the threshold and preventing his entrance, "this is a very sad loss!" "Sad loss!" Flint replied with disgust. "A lot you think of the loss--as much as I do, I reckon. I want to come in." "Then you sha'n't!" Cater replied, with a prompt change of manner. "You shan't! I'm sole executor, and I've got the will in my pocket." He pulled it out sufficiently far to show the end of the paper, and then returned it. "As executor I'm in charge of the property, and responsible. It's vested in me till the will's put into effect. That's law. And it's a bad thing for anybody to interfere with an executor. That's law too." Flint was angry, but cautious. "Well," he said, "you're uncommon high, with your will and your executor's law and your 'sad loss,' I must say. What's your game?" For answer Cater began to shut the door.