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.He described the typewriter as a new-fangled invention that would be the death of fine writing.""What did the letter say?" asked Danny."That your grandfather had decided to disinherit you, and that he had accordingly written a new will, leaving everything to your father.Particularly clever.""Clever?""Yes.If the estate had been divided between both of his sons, it would have looked suspicious, because too many people were aware that he and your uncle hadn't been on speaking terms for years.""But this way," said Danny, "Uncle Hugo still ends up with everything, because my father left his entire estate to him.But you used the word 'clever.' Does that mean that you have your doubts about whether my grandfather actually wrote the letter?""I most certainly do," said Munro, "and not simply because it was typed.It was on two sheets of your grandfather's personal stationery, which I recognized immediately, but for some inexplicable reason the first page was typed, while the second was handwritten and bore only the words, These are my personal wishes and I rely on you both to see they are carried out to the letter, your loving father, Alexander Moncrieff.The first page, the typewritten one, detailed those personal wishes, while the second was not only handwritten, but was identical in every word to the one that was attached to the original will.Quite a coincidence.""But surely that alone must be enough proof.?""I fear not," said Munro."Although we may have every reason to believe that the letter is a fake, the facts are that it was written on your grandfather's personal stationery, the typewriter used is of the correct vintage, and the writing on the second page is unquestionably in your grandfather's hand.I doubt if there's a court in the land that would uphold our claim.And if that weren't enough," continued Munro, "your uncle served a trespass order on us yesterday.""A trespass order?" said Danny."Not satisfied that the new will claims he is now the rightful heir to both the estate in Scotland and the house in The Boltons, he is also demanding that you vacate the latter within thirty days, or he will serve you with a court order demanding rent that is commensurate with that of similar properties in the area, backdated to the day you took over occupation.""So I've lost everything," said Danny."Not quite," said Munro."Although I admit that matters do look a little bleak on the home front, but when it comes to Geneva, you still have the key.I suspect that the bank will be loath to hand over anything that belonged to your grandfather to someone who is unable to produce that key." He paused for a moment before he delivered the next sentence."And of one thing I am certain.If your grandfather had been placed in this position, he would not have taken it lying down.""And neither would I," said Danny, "if I had the finances to take Hugo on.But despite yesterday's sale of the envelope, it will only be a matter of weeks before my uncle can add a writ for bankruptcy to the long list of actions we are already defending."Mr.Munro smiled for the first time that morning."I had anticipated this problem, Sir Nicholas, and yesterday afternoon my partners and I discussed what we should do about your current dilemma." He coughed."They were of the unanimous opinion that we should break with one of our long-held customs, and not present any further bills until this action has reached a satisfactory conclusion.""But should the case fail when it comes to court—and let me assure you, Mr.Munro, that I have some experience in these matters—I would end up being perpetually in your debt.""Should we fail," replied Munro, "no bills will be presented, because this firm remains perpetually in your grandfather's debt."The chairman returned after a few minutes, and resumed the place opposite his would-be customers.He smiled."Mr.Moncrieff," he began."I have been able to confirm that Sir Alexander did indeed conduct some business with this bank.We must now attempt to establish your claim to be the sole heir to his estate.""I can supply you with any documentation you require," said Hugo with confidence."First, I must ask you if you are in possession of a passport, Mr.Moncrieff?""Yes, I am," replied Hugo, who opened his briefcase, extracted his passport and handed it across the table.De Coubertin turned to the back page and studied the photograph for a moment before returning the passport to Hugo."Do you have your father's death certificate?" he asked."Yes," replied Hugo, taking a second document from his briefcase and pushing it across the table.This time the chairman studied the document a little more carefully before nodding and handing it back."And do you also have your brother's death certificate?" he asked.Hugo passed over a third document.Once again de Coubertin took his time before handing it back."I will also need to see your brother's will, to confirm that he left the bulk of the estate to you." Hugo handed over the will and put another tick against the long list Galbraith had prepared for him.De Coubertin did not speak for some time while he studied Angus Moncrieff's will."That all seems to be in order," he said eventually."But most important of all, are you in possession of your father's will?""Not only am I able to supply you with his last Will and Testament," said Hugo, "signed and dated six weeks before his death, but I am also in possession of a letter he wrote to my brother Angus and myself that was attached to that will." Hugo slid both documents across the table, but de Coubertin made no attempt to study either of them."And finally, Mr.Moncrieff, I must ask if there was a key among your father's bequests?"Hugo hesitated."There most certainly was," said Margaret, speaking for the first time, "but unfortunately it has been mislaid, although I have seen it many times over the years.It's quite small, silver, and, if I remember correctly, it has a number stamped on it.""And do you recall that number by any chance, Mrs.Moncrieff?" asked the chairman."Unfortunately I do not," Margaret finally admitted."In that case, I'm sure you will appreciate the bank's dilemma," said de Coubertin."As you can imagine, without the key, we are placed in an invidious position.However," he added before Margaret could interrupt, "I will ask one of our experts to study the will, which as I'm sure you are aware is common practice in such circumstances.Should they consider it to be authentic, we will hand over any possessions we are holding in Sir Alexander's name
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