"Doubts? So you had doubts?" said Hugh, dryly "They disturbed your sleep, perhaps?"
The lurking distrust in Mr. Bonnithorne's eyes openly displayed itself, and he gazed full into the face of Hugh Ritson with a searching look that made little parley with his smile. "Then one may take a man's inheritance without qualm or conviction?"
Hugh pretended not to hear, and began to read aloud the certificates in his hand. "Let me see, this is first--Registration of Birth."
Mr. Bonnithorne interrupted. "Luckily, very luckily, the registration of birth is first."
"Name, Paul. Date of birth, August 14, 1845. Place of birth, Russell Square, London. Father's name, Robert Lowther. Mother's name, Grace Lowther; maiden name, Ormerod."
"Then this comes second--Registration of Marriage."
Mr. Bonnithorne rose in his eagerness and rubbed his hands together at the fire. "Yes, second," he said, with evident relish.
"Allan Ritson--Grace Ormerod--Register's office, Bow Street, Strand, London--June 12, 1847."
"What do you say to that?" asked Mr. Bonnithorne, in an eager whisper.
Hugh continued without comment. "And this comes last--Registration of Birth."
"Name, Hugh--March 25, 1848--Holme, Ravenglass, Cumberland--Allan Ritson--Grace Ritson (Ormerod)."
"There you have the case in a nutshell," said Mr. Bonnithorne, dropping his voice. "Paul is your half-brother, and the son of Lowther. You are Allan Ritson's heir, born within a year of your father's marriage. Can anything be clearer?"
Hugh remained silently intent on the documents. "Were these copies made at Somerset House?" he asked.
"And your correspondent can be relied upon?"
"Assuredly. A solicitor in excellent practice."
"Was he told what items he had to find, or did he make a general search?"
"He was told to find the marriage or marriages of Grace Ormerod and to trace her offspring."
Hugh twirled the papers in his fingers, and then placed two of them side by side. His face wore a look of perplexity. "I am puzzled," he said.
"What puzzles you?" said Mr. Bonnithorne. "Can anything be plainer?"
"Yes. By these certificates I am two and a half years younger than Paul. I was always taught that there was only a year between us."
Mr. Bonnithorne smiled, and said in a superior tone: