most effective way of doing the things he mentions."

Edgar's laughter followed him as he left the group.

After dinner that evening Herbert invited George into the library.

"Parker has come over about my lease, and his visit will save you a
journey," he explained. "We may as well get things settled now while
he's here."

George went with him to the library, where the lawyer sat at a
writing-table. He waited in silence while Herbert gave the lawyer a
few instructions. A faint draught flowed in through an open window,
and gently stirred the litter of papers; a shaded lamp stood on the
table, and its light revealed the faces of the two men near it with
sharp distinctness, though outside the circle of brightness the big
room was almost dark.

It struck George that his cousin looked eager, as if he were impatient
to get the work finished; but he reflected that this was most likely
because Herbert wished to discuss the matter of the lease. Then he
remembered with a little irritation what Ethel said during the
afternoon. It was not very lucid, but he had an idea that she meant to
warn him; and Edgar had gone some length in urging that he should leave
the care of his property to another man. This was curious, but hardly
to be taken into consideration, Herbert was capable and exact in his
dealings; and yet for a moment or two George was troubled by a faint
doubt. It appeared irrational, and he drove it out of his mind when
Herbert spoke.

"The deed's ready; you have only to sign," he said, indicating a paper.
Then he added, with a smile: "You quite realize the importance of what
you are doing?"

The lawyer turned to George.

"This document gives Mr. Lansing full authority to dispose of your
possessions as he thinks fit. In accordance with it, his signature
will be honored as if it were yours."

Parker's expression was severely formal, and his tone businesslike; but
he had known George for a long while, and had served his father.
Again, for a moment, George had an uneasy feeling that he was being
warned; but he had confidence in his friends, and his cousin was
eminently reliable.

"I know that," he answered. "I've left matters in Herbert's hands on
other occasions, with fortunate results. Will you give me a pen?"

The lawyer watched him sign with an inscrutable face, but when he laid
down the pen, Herbert drew back out of the strong light. He was
folding the paper with a sense of satisfaction and relief