t each of the squire's guests
felt as if a lifetime of experience yawned between that day and this!

"I have sent for you, as it is necessary to speak on an unpleasant
topic, which, however, cannot be avoided," Mr Farrell began. "It is
painful for me to open it, especially as I am urged to avoid excitement;
but I have no alternative. You may remember that shortly before I was
taken ill, I referred to the draft of my will which was lying in this
desk." He stretched out his hand, and laid it on the polished surface.
"It was kept here with other important papers, arranged in a special
manner, which I have adopted for years, partly for the sake of neatness,
partly to ensure them against interference, for it is impossible that
they should be touched without my knowledge. This morning, on coming
downstairs, my first task was to add some memoranda to one of these
papers. I opened the desk, and discovered at once that my will had been
opened and read--"

He stared grimly across the room, and four flushed, bewildered faces
stared back at him. The silence lasted for several moments; then Jack
spoke in his haughtiest and most intolerant tone--

"You do not, of course, wish to imply, sir, that you suspect us of
having any hand in the matter? I presume you want our help in
unravelling the mystery? My own detective powers are not of a high
order; but if you will explain your system--"

Mr Farrell interrupted him with a raised hand.

"Thank you, I prefer to make my own inquiries. As I said before, it is
a disagreeable duty; but when a duty is forced upon one, the best course
is to perform it in the most strict and business--like manner possible.
You are the people most concerned in my will, the people who would
naturally feel most interest and curiosity in seeing it; therefore,
apart from sentimental considerations, on you the first suspicion must
fall, and it is right that I should question you before outsiders."

Jack's eyes flashed. He rose from his chair and limped across the
floor, as if unable to keep still.

"I am afraid it will be of little use. If a fellow is sweep enough to
pry into another man's secrets, he is equal to lying about it into the
bargain, and in that case you have no chance in finding out the truth.
You have been upstairs for five days. It is impossible to account for
all that may have happened during that time."

"I have been upstairs five days, as you say, but it happens that I can
reduce