stened
it up. As regards that part of the proceedings," said Mr. Tertius, "that
is all."

"There was, then, another part?" suggested Mr. Halfpenny.

"Yes," replied Mr. Tertius. "There was. Burchill then left--at once. I,
too, was leaving the room when Jacob called me back. When we were alone,
he said: 'That was my will that you've just witnessed. Never mind what's
in it--I may alter it, or some of it, some day, but I don't think I
shall. Now look here, I'm going to seal this envelope, and I'll show you
where I put it when it's sealed.' He then sealed the envelope in two
places, as you see, and afterwards, in my presence, placed it in a
secret drawer, which I'll show to you now. And that done, he said:
'There, Tertius, you needn't mention that to anybody, unless I happen to
be taken off suddenly.' And," concluded Mr. Tertius, as he motioned Mr.
Halfpenny to accompany him to the old bureau, "I never, of course, did
mention it until half an hour ago."

Mr. Halfpenny solemnly inspected the secret drawer, made no remark upon
it, and reseated himself.

"Now," he said, "this Mr. Frank Burchill--the other witness? He left our
old friend?"

"Some little time ago," replied Mr. Tertius.

"Still, we have his address on the will," said Mr. Halfpenny. "I shall
call on Mr. Burchill at once--as soon as I leave here. There is, of
course, no doubt as to the validity of this will. You said just now that
Barthorpe left you as soon as he had seen it. Now, what did Barthorpe
say about it?"

"Nothing!" answered Mr. Tertius. "He went away without a word--rushed
away, in fact."

Mr. Halfpenny shook his head with profound solemnity.

"I am not in the least surprised to hear that," he observed. "Barthorpe
naturally received a great shock. What I am surprised at is--the terms
of the will. Nothing whatever to Barthorpe--his only male relative--his
only brother's only son. Extraordinary! My dear," he continued, turning
to Peggie, "can you account for this? Do you know of anything, any
difference between them, anything at all which would make your uncle
leave his nephew out of his will?"

"Nothing!" answered Peggie. "And I'm very troubled about it. Does it
really mean that I get everything, and Barthorpe nothing?"

"That is the precise state of affairs," answered Mr. Halfpenny. "And it
is all the more surprising when we bear in mind that you two are the
only relations Jacob Herapath had, and that he was a rich man--a very
rich man inde