g
time to look through them all."

"Have you seen the inside of it?" asked Mrs. Fred, greedily.

"I have seen my uncle writing at it," returned Katherine; "but I never
had an opportunity of examining it."

"Well, I suppose I had better go. I am evidently not wanted here!"
exclaimed Mrs. Frederic, longing to quarrel with some one, being in that
condition of mind aptly described as "not knowing what to be at."
Finding no help from her auditors, she went reluctantly away.

"I wish poor Ada would not allow her imagination to run away with her.
It will be such a disappointment when she finds it is all much ado about
nothing," said Mrs. Liddell, as she returned to her letter. "I am
afraid, Katie dear, you have had a great shock; you do not look a bit
like yourself."

"I feel dazed and stupid, but I dare say I shall be all right
to-morrow." She took a book and pretended to read, while her mother's
pen scratched lightly and quickly over the paper.

The light was beginning to change, when a message from Mr. Newton
summoned both mother and daughter to the sitting-room, where they found
him awaiting them.

"I have looked most carefully through the bureau, and can find no sign
of the will. There are various papers and account-books, a very clear
statement of his affairs, and about a hundred and fifteen pounds of
ready money, but no will. I have also looked in his writing-table
drawer, his wardrobe, and every possible and impossible place. It may be
at my office, though I am under the impression he took charge of it
himself. There is a possibility he may have deposited it at his banker's
or his stock-broker's, though that is not probable."

"It is curious," remarked Mrs. Liddell, feeling she must say something.

"Pray," resumed Newton, addressing Katherine, "have you ever seen him
tearing up or burning papers?"

She thought for a moment, and then said quietly, "No, I never have."

"I can do no more here, at least to-day," Newton went on. "I must bid
you a good-afternoon. You may be sure I will leave nothing undone to
discover the missing will, and I can only say I earnestly hope I may not
be successful."

CHAPTER X.

"FRUITION."

The funeral over, Mrs. Liddell and her daughter went back to their
modest home, feeling as though they had passed through some strange
dream, which had vanished, leaving "not a wrack behind."

To Katherine it was like fresh life to return to the natural cheerful
routine of her da