uld like to know?"

Mr. Tertius, who had gone up to Peggie, laid his hand reassuringly on
her arm.

"Don't be afraid, my dear," he whispered. "Perhaps," he continued,
glancing at Barthorpe, "I had better tell you when and where it was
made. About six months ago--in this room. One day Mr. Herapath called me
in here. He had his then secretary, Mr. Burchill, with him. He took a
document out of a drawer, told us that it was his will, signed it in our
joint presence, and we witnessed his signature in each other's presence.
He then placed the will in an envelope, which he sealed. I do not know
the terms of the will--but I know where the will is."

Barthorpe's voice sounded strangely husky as he got out one word:

"Where?"

Mr. Tertius took Peggie by the elbow and led her across the room to a
recess in which stood an ancient oak bureau.

"This old desk," he said, "belonged, so he always told me, to Jacob's
great-grandfather. There is a secret drawer in it. Here it is--concealed
behind another drawer. You put this drawer out--so--and here is the
secret one. And here--where I saw Jacob Herapath put it--is the will."

Barthorpe, who had followed these proceedings with almost irrepressible
eagerness, thrust forward a shaking hand. But Mr. Tertius quietly handed
the sealed envelope to Peggie.

"This envelope," he remarked, "is addressed to Miss Wynne."

Barthorpe made an effort and controlled himself.

"Open it!" he said hoarsely. "Open it!"

Peggie fumbled with the seal of the envelope and then, with a sudden
impulse, passed it to Selwood.

"Mr. Selwood!" she exclaimed imploringly. "You--I can't. You open it,
and--"

"And let him read it," added Mr. Tertius.

Selwood, whose nerves had been strung to a high pitch of excitement by
this scene, hastily slit open the envelope, and drew out a folded sheet
of foolscap paper. He saw at a glance that there was very little to
read. His voice trembled slightly as he began a recital of the contents.

"'This is the last will of me, Jacob Herapath, of 500,
Portman Square, London, in the County of Middlesex. I
give, devise, and bequeath everything of which I die
possessed, whether in real or personal estate, absolutely
to my niece, Margaret Wynne, now resident with me at the
above address, and I appoint the said Margaret Wynne the
sole executor of this my will. And I revoke all former
wills and codicils. Dated this eighteenth day of April,