the time to a much narrower limit. On the evening after I was
taken ill, it occurred to me that I had not locked my desk the night
before, as I expected to return to the library as usual after dinner. I
sent James downstairs to make sure. He found it open, locked it, and
brought me back the key. The lock is a patent one, and has not been
tampered with, therefore whoever examined the will must have done so on
Wednesday morning or afternoon."

Victor looked up quickly.

"You allowed your man to lock it, you trusted him with the key?"

"Certainly. He has been twenty years in my service, and knows exactly
what provision I have made for his future. He will not need to work
after my death, and has no personal interest in my will. Moreover, I
trust him as I would myself."

Mr Farrell spoke sharply, evidently annoyed that any doubt should be
cast upon his favourite. As he finished his eyes met Mollie's fixed
upon him with an angry challenge, to which he was not slow to respond--

"Well, what have you to say, young lady? Can you throw any light on
this mystery?"

"I have not opened your desk and pried among your papers, if you really
mean to ask me such a question. I have lots of faults, but I've never
been suspected of anything so mean as that, and I don't care to stay in
a house where anyone can believe it possible! I don't want to see the
horrid old will! We should all have been content and happy if it had
not been for the thought of it; and I never want to hear it mentioned
again. I don't know how you dare insult us so, Uncle Bernard!"

"That will do, Mollie; you have given me your answer. There is no need
to get excited. You had better go back to the drawing-room while I
speak to your companions."

The squire leant back in his chair, waiting for her to go; and, willing
or unwilling, there was no defying that grim silence. Mollie marched
across the floor with defiant tread, opened the door, and closed it
behind her with a bang, so expressive of temper that Jack could not
resist a smile. It vanished quickly enough, however, as he listened to
Mr Farrell's next words--

"I must ask you to tell me in so many words whether you know anything of
this matter. If a sudden access of curiosity should have proved too
strong for resistance, a candid confession would be the best means of
obtaining forgiveness. I could overlook anything better than deceit."
He looked at the three young faces before him with a