n he would have done in the usual course, because
of his health. As a matter of fact, he was very ill when he came to me,
and he died six weeks after his arrival at my house. He is buried in the
churchyard of the village from which he originally came--in Wales--and
you can inspect all the documents relating to his death, and see his
grave if you care to. After his death, for reasons into which I need not
go, I went to live with Jacob Herapath. It was his great desire--and
mine--that Wynne's daughter, your cousin, should never know her father's
sad history. But for you she never would have known it! And--that is a
plain answer to what you have had to allege against me. Now, sir, let me
ask you a plain question. Who invented this cock-and-bull story? You
don't reply--readily? Shall I assist you by a suggestion? Was it that
man who sits by you--Burchill? For Burchill knows that he has lied
vilely and shamelessly this morning--Burchill knows that he did see
Jacob Herapath sign that will--Burchill knows that that will was duly
witnessed by himself and by me in the presence of each other and of the
testator! God bless my soul!" exclaimed Mr. Tertius, thumping the table
vehemently. "Why, man alive, your cousin Margaret has a document here
which proves that that will is all right--a document written by Jacob
Herapath himself! Bring it out, my dear--confound these men with an
indisputable proof!"

But before Peggie could draw the packet from her muff, Burchill had
risen and was showing signs of retreat. And Barthorpe, now pale with
anger and perplexity, had risen too--and he was looking at Burchill.

Mr. Halfpenny looked at both men. Then he pointed to their chairs.
"Hadn't you better sit down again?" he said. "It seems to me that we're
just arriving at the most interesting stage of these proceedings."

Burchill stepped towards the door.

"I do not propose to stay in company in which I am ruthlessly insulted,"
he said. "It is, of course, a question of my word against Mr. Tertius's.
We shall see. As for the present, I do."

"Stop!" said Barthorpe. He moved towards Burchill, motioning him towards
the window in which Peggie and Mr. Tertius had spoken together. "Here--a
word with you!"

But Burchill made for the door, and Mr. Halfpenny nudged Professor
Cox-Raythwaite.

"I say--stop!" exclaimed Barthorpe. "There's some explanation----"

He was about to lay a hand on the door when Mr. Halfpenny touched a
bell which stood in f