You could not possibly have foreseen that Mr.Penfold's sisters were likely to turn out thieves." "Well, that is rather a strong expression, Mrs.Conway; though natural enough I must admit in your position as Mr.Ralph Conway's mother.

You see, there is a difference between concealing and not disclosing.

Mr.
Penfold himself concealed the will.

The Miss Penfolds simply refuse to assist us in our search for it." "And as the nearest heirs take possession of the property." "Quite so, Mrs.Conway.I am not defending their conduct, which morally is dishonest in the extreme, but I doubt whether any court of law would find it to be a punishable offense." "Well, now, Mr.Tallboys, I want you to let me know whether you suspect that they have destroyed the will; which, I suppose, would be a punishable offense." "Certainly the destruction of the will, in order that those who destroyed might get possession of property, would be criminal.

Well, I don't know; I have thought it over in every sense, and think the balance of probability is against their having destroyed it.