‘We must rescue him!’ cried Belassis, a vision of golden possibilities rising at once before his eyes. ‘We, his next of kin, will rescue him from the clutch of this villain, and reinstate him in his own inheritance! Celia, my love! the tables will be turned, and our fortunes will be made! We will drive out this impostor with scorn and obloquy! I will prosecute him myself, and he shall be transported for life! Penal servitude is just fit for him, and such as he! When dear Philip has his own again—ah, how different it will all be! I knew that man was not a Debenham, and Philip must be his father’s own son, or this Torwood could not ride rough-shod over him as he does. Ah, my dear! when we get our own nephew safe under our protection at Ladywell, how different everything will look!’ This had been Mrs. Belassis’ own conclusion, but she saw more difficulties in the way. ‘We must prove our case first. Torwood will not give way readily. I charged him with the fraud yesterday, openly, but he had the impudence to look me in the face and tell me that he should prefer to hear of such matters through my legal adviser! Oh, you needn’t be afraid! He’s Torwood, as sure as you’re Belassis; but he has got the property, and he will fight for it.’ Belassis considered awhile, and his eye began to glitter. ‘So much the better, perhaps. Phil’s gratitude will be all the greater, after a hard fight.’ ‘We must find Phil first.’ ‘True. Does anyone but this impostor know where he is?’ ‘I fancy Signor Pagliadini does.’ ‘Who is this Signor Pagliadini?’ ‘I don’t know. Evidently some friend of Phil’s, who has come over to look after his interests.’ ‘Has Phil sent him?’ ‘I don’t know. He cannot speak English, and he is very reserved about himself.’ ‘But he is Torwood’s enemy?’ ‘I should say so.’ ‘And therefore our friend.’ ‘Don’t be too sure of that. He was anything but open with me. I wormed a good deal out of him; but I’m not sure that he intended me to.’ ‘We’ll make him speak out!’ cried Belassis heartily and eagerly. ‘I’ve not been a lawyer for nothing; and I flatter myself I know how to get at information when I want it, and how to get up a case when I’ve an object to gain. The first thing to do, when we’ve won over this Signor, is to find our poor wronged nephew; and the next, to prosecute this Torrington Torwood for forgery and fraud.’ A knock at the door had passed unheeded, so it was simply thrown open, whilst the servant briefly announced: ‘Mr. Debenham and Mr. Torwood.’ Dead silence reigned in the room, as the two young men made their entrance.