orah. "Oh, he's the artfulest
man!"

"You may be right, Deborah. I must say the will sounded all right."

"Maybe it was copied from the mistress' will."

This conversation took place in one corner of the room.

It ceased as Mr. Ferret advanced toward the disinherited boy.

"Frank," said he, in a tone of sympathy, "I am very sorry for the
provisions of the will."

"So am I, sir," answered our hero. "It isn't pleasant to be dependent on
Mr. Manning."

"Particularly when the whole estate should be yours."

"I wouldn't have minded if half had been left to him, provided I had
been left independent of him."

"I appreciate your feelings, Frank. I knew your father, and I am proud
to say that he was my friend. I knew your mother well, and I esteemed
her highly. I hope you will let me regard myself as your friend also."

"Thank you, Mr. Ferret!" said Frank. "I am likely to need a friend. I
shall remember your kind proposal. I want to ask you one question."

"Ask, and I shall answer."

"Did my mother consult with you about making this will?"

"No, Frank."

"Did she ever say anything that would lead you to think she would leave
the property as it is left in this will?"

"Not a word."

"Was there another will?"

"Yes. I wrote her will at her direction more than a year ago. This will
is dated only three months since, and, of course, takes precedence of
it, even if the other is in existence."

"Can you tell me what were the provisions of the other will?"

"A legacy of ten thousand dollars was left to Mr. Manning, and the rest
of the estate to you, except the small legacies, which were all larger
than in the will I have read. For instance, Deborah and Richard Green
were each put down for five hundred dollars."

"So they suffer as well as I?"

"Yes."

"Have you any idea, Mr. Ferret, of the value of the estate which falls
into Mr. Manning's hands?"

"I have some idea, because I have talked with your mother on the
subject. This estate is worth fifty thousand dollars at least, and there
are fully fifty thousand dollars in money and bonds. The legacies do not
altogether exceed one thousand dollars, and therefore it may be said
that your stepfather has fallen heir to one hundred thousand dollars."

"I suppose there is nothing I can do, Mr. Ferret?"

"Not unless you can show that this will which I have read is not a
genuine document. That would be difficult."

"Did you notice my mother's signature?"

"Yes.