Explore "The Talleyrand Maxim" by J.S. Fletcher on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
As quietly and composedly as if he were discharging the most ordinary of his daily duties, Pratt unfolded the document, and went close to the solitary gas jet above Eldrick's desk. What he held in his hand was a half-sheet of ruled foolscap paper, closely covered with writing, which he at once recognized as that of the late John Mallathorpe. He was familiar with that writing -- he had often seen it. It was an old-fashioned writing -- clear, distinct, with every letter well and fully formed.
"Made it himself! " muttered Pratt. "Um! -- looks as if he wanted to keep the terms secret. Well -- -- "