As these were the widow, Lady Garvington, himself, and his cousin Noel, the little man had no fear of what might be forthcoming, since with relatives there could be no risk of betrayal.

All the same, he waited for the reading of the will with some perturbation, for the suggested secrecy hinted at some posthumous revenge on the part of the dead man.

And, hardened as he was, Garvington did not wish his wife and Lambert to become acquainted with his delinquency.

He was, of course, unaware that the latter knew about it through Agnes, and knew also how it had been used to coerce her--for the pressure amounted to coercion--into a loveless marriage.
The quintette assembled in a small room near the library, and when the door and window were closed there was no chance that any one would overhear the conference.

Lambert was rather puzzled to know why he had been requested to be present, as he had no idea that Pine would mention him in the will.