Halliday's death?"
"I dare say she did. She was in the house when he died, and nursed him
all through his illness. She's a clever old woman. Yes, you might take
her down with you; I think she would be of use in getting Charlotte
away."
"I'll take her, if she will go."
"I am not sure of that; our north-country folks have stiffish notions
about fidelity to old masters, and that kind of thing. Nancy Woolper
nursed my brother Phil."
"If she knows or suspects the fate of Charlotte's father, she will try to
save Charlotte," said Valentine, with conviction. "And now, good bye! I
trust to you for getting your brother out of the way, George Sheldon;
remember that."
He held out his hand; the lawyer took it with a muscular grip, which, on
this occasion, meant something more than that base coin of jolly good
fellowship which so often passes current for friendship's virgin gold.
"You may trust me," George Sheldon said gravely. "Stop a moment, though;
I have a proposition to make. If my brother Philip has induced that girl
to make a will, as it is my belief he has, we must counter him. Come down
with me to Doctors' Commons. You've a cab? Yes; the business won't take
half an hour."
"What business?"
"A special licence for your marriage with Charlotte Halliday."
"A marriage?"
"Yes; her marriage invalidates her will, if she has made one, and does
away with Phil's motive.
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