Best Kept Secret

is.’
    ‘Both of us,’ said Mr Todd, ‘could put forward a compelling argument that the letter should be treated as inadmissible evidence.’
    ‘I agree,’ said Sir Cuthbert, ‘but frankly we’re damned if we do, and we’re damned if we don’t. Because if you don’t open the envelope now it’s
found its way into court, whichever side loses this case will certainly have grounds for an appeal.’
    ‘I fear that may well be the case,’ said the judge. ‘If you both agree, perhaps it might be wise for you, Simon, to call Mr Clifton as a witness under oath, and see if he can
throw some light on how he came into possession of this envelope in the first place. What do you think, Cuthbert?’
    ‘I have no objection to that,’ said Sir Cuthbert.
    ‘Good. However, let me assure you,’ continued the judge, ‘that I will not open the envelope until I’ve heard Mr Clifton’s evidence, and I will only do so then if
you both approve. And should I do so, it will have to be in the presence of anyone who might be affected by the outcome of these proceedings.’

14
    ‘C ALL M R H ARRY C LIFTON .’
    Emma gripped Harry’s hand before he rose from his place and walked calmly across to the witness box. Once he’d taken the oath, the judge leaned forward and said, ‘Mr Clifton, I
propose to ask you a few questions. When I have finished, if learned counsel wish to clarify any points, they will be free to do so. Can I confirm for the record that you are the husband of Emma
Clifton, and the brother-in-law of Miss Grace Barrington, the two defendants in this case?’
    ‘I am indeed, sir, and also the brother-in-law of Sir Giles Barrington, my oldest and closest friend.’
    ‘Could you tell the court about your relationship with Lady Barrington?’
    ‘I was twelve when I first met her at a tea party to celebrate Giles’s birthday, so I knew her for almost twenty years.’
    ‘That does not answer my question,’ pressed the judge.
    ‘I considered Elizabeth a dear and close friend, and I mourn her untimely death as deeply as anyone in this room. She was a truly remarkable woman, and if she had been born a generation
later, the board of Barrington’s shipping line wouldn’t have had to look outside the family for a new chairman when her husband died.’
    ‘Thank you,’ said the judge. ‘And now I would like to ask you about this envelope,’ he said, holding it up for all to see, ‘and how it came into your
possession.’
    ‘I went to see Elizabeth in hospital most evenings. My final visit took place on what turned out to be the last night of her life.’
    ‘You were alone with her?’
    ‘Yes, sir. Her daughter Grace had just left.’
    ‘Please tell the court what happened.’
    ‘Elizabeth told me that earlier in the day she’d had a visit from her solicitor, Mr Siddons, and had signed a new will.’
    ‘We’re talking about the evening of Thursday July twenty-sixth?’
    ‘Yes, sir, just a few hours before Elizabeth died.’
    ‘Could you tell the court what else happened during that visit?’
    ‘She surprised me by taking a sealed envelope from under her pillow which she gave me for safe keeping.’
    ‘Did she explain why she was giving it to you?’
    ‘She only said that if Giles were to contest her new will, I was to hand the letter to the judge selected to preside over the case.’
    ‘Did she give you any other instructions?’
    ‘She said I was not to open the envelope or to let Giles or my wife know of its existence.’
    ‘And if Sir Giles did not contest the will?’
    ‘I was to destroy it, with the same instructions not to reveal it had ever existed.’
    ‘So you have no idea what is in this envelope, Mr Clifton?’ said the judge, holding it up.
    ‘None whatsoever.’
    ‘And we’re expected to believe that,’ said Virginia, loud enough for everyone to hear.
    ‘Curiouser and curiouser,’ said the judge, ignoring the interruption. ‘I have no more questions for you, Mr Clifton. Mr Todd?’
    ‘Thank you, m’lud,’ said Mr Todd, rising from his place. ‘You told his lordship, Mr Clifton, that Lady Barrington said she’d written a new will. Did she give you
any reason why she had done so?’
    ‘There’s no doubt in my mind that Elizabeth loved her son, but she told me she feared if he were to marry that dreadful woman Lady Virginia—’
    ‘M’lud,’ said Sir Cuthbert, leaping up from his place. ‘This is hearsay, and clearly inadmissible.’
    ‘I agree. It will