 Trounsem, of Littleshaw. But
        upon his decease without issue we are of opinion that the right in
        remainder of the Bycliffe family will arise, which right would not be
        barred by any statute of limitation.
 
When Harold's eyes were on the signatures to this document for the third time,
Jermyn said -
    »As it turned out, the case being closed by the death of the claimant, we
had no occasion for producing Thomas Transome, who was the old fellow I tell you
of. The inquiries about him set him agog, and after they were dropped he came
into this neighbourhood, thinking there was something fine in store for him.
Here, if you like to take it, is a memorandum about him. I repeat, that he died
in the riot. The proof is ready. And I repeat, that, to my knowledge, and mine
only, there is a Bycliffe in existence; and that I know how the proof can be
made out.«
    Harold rose from his chair again, and again paced the room. He was not
prepared with any defiance.
    »And where is he - this Bycliffe?« he said at last, stopping in his walk,
and facing round towards Jermyn.
    »I decline to say more till you promise to suspend proceedings against me.«
    Harold turned again, and looked out of the window, without speaking for a
moment or two. It was impossible that there should not be a conflict within him,
and at present it was a very confused one. At last he said -
    »This person is in ignorance of his claim?«
    »Yes.«
    »Has been brought up in an inferior station?«
    »Yes,« said Jermyn, keen enough to guess part of what was going on in
Harold's mind. »There is no harm in leaving him in ignorance. The question is a
purely legal one. And, as I said before, the complete knowledge of the case, as
one of evidence, lies exclusively with me. I can nullify the evidence, or I can
make it tell with certainty against you. The choice lies with you.«
    »I must have time to think of this,« said Harold, conscious of a terrible
pressure.
    »I can give you no time unless you promise me to suspend proceedings.«
    »And then, when I ask you, you will lay the details before me?«
    »Not without a thorough understanding beforehand. If I engage not to use my
knowledge against you, you must engage in writing that on being satisfied by the
details,
