Let me
see the papers."
Mr. Quest turned aside to hide the expression of triumph which flitted
across his face and then handed him the deeds. They were elaborately
drawn, for he was a skilful legal draughtsman, quite as skilful as
many a leading Chancery conveyancer, but the substance of them was
that the mortgages were transferred to him by the said Edward Cossey
in and for the consideration that he, the said William M. Quest,
consented to abandon for ever a pending action for divorce against his
wife, Belle Quest, whereto the said Edward Cossey was to be joined as
co-respondent.
"You will observe," said Mr. Quest, "that if you attempt to contest
the validity of this assignment, which you probably could not do with
any prospect of success, the attempt must recoil upon your own head,
because the whole scandal will then transpire. We shall require some
witnesses, so with your permission I will ring the bell and ask the
landlady and your servant to step up. They need know nothing of the
contents of the papers," and he did so.
"Stop," said Edward presently. "Where are the original letters?"
"Here," answered Mr. Quest, producing them from an inner pocket, and
showing them to him at a distance. "When the landlady comes up I will
give them to her to hold in this envelope, directing her to hand them
to you when the deeds are signed and witnessed.
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