and spiritually
conferred as to what the real intention of the dying woman in the
circumstances was _likely to be_, and having ascertained that, they
made _another will_, which they called "settling the former one" by
carrying out the lady's intentions, the lady being now dead to all
intentions whatsoever.

This was the will which was offered for probate!

Cresswell thought it was a curious state of affairs, and listened with
much interest to the further cross-examination.

"Had you ever seen any other will?" I inquired. It was quite an
accidental question, as one would put in a desultory sort of
conversation with a friend.

"Er--yes--I have," said Faker.

"What was that?"

"Well, it was a will, to tell you the truth, Mr. Hawkins, executed in
my favour for L5,000."

"Where is it?"

"I have not the original," said the minister, "but I have a copy of
it."

"Copy! But where is the original?"

"Original?" repeats Faker.

"Yes, the original; there must have been an original if you have a
copy."

"Oh," said the Rev. Faker, "I remember, the original was destroyed
after the testatrix's death."

"How?"

"Burnt!"

Even the very grave Hannen, my ever-respected friend and junior,
smiled; Cresswell, never prone to smile at villainy, smiled also.

"The original burnt, and only a copy produced! What do you mean, sir?"

The situation was dramatic.

"Is it not strange," I asked, "even in _your_ view of things, that the
original will should be burnt and the copy preserved?"

"Yes," answered the reverend gentleman; "perhaps it would have been
better--"

"To have burnt the copy and given us the original, and more especially
after the lady was dead. But, let me ask you, _why_ did you destroy
the original will?"

I pressed him again and again, but he could not answer. The reason was
plain. His ingenuity was exhausted, and so I gave him the finishing
stroke with this question,--

"Will you swear, sir, that an original will ever existed?"

The answer was, "No."

I knew it _must_ be the answer, because there could be no other that
would not betray him.

"What is your explanation?" asked Cresswell.

"My explanation, my lord, is that the testatrix had often expressed to
me her intention to leave me L5,000, and I wrote the codicil which was
destroyed to carry out her wishes."

Cresswell had warned James early in the case as to the futility of
calling witnesses after the two who alone were necessary, but to n