at's so that there wouldn't be any legal
bother about her taking possession of it at once if she wants to.
Poor old Norah's just about bowled over. She felt O'Neill's death so
awfully, and now this has brought it all back."

"Yes, it's rough on Norah," Wally said. "I expect she hates taking
the place."

"She can't bear the idea of it. Dad and I don't much care about it
either."

Wally pondered.

"May I see that letter again?" he asked presently.

Jim Linton took out the letter and handed it to his friend. He filled
his pipe leisurely and lit it, while Wally knitted his brows over the
sheet of cheap hotel paper. Presently he looked up, a flash of
eagerness in his keen brown eyes.

"Well, I think O'Neill left that place to Norah with a purpose," he
said. "I don't believe it's just an ordinary legacy. Of course, it's
hers, all right; but don't you think he wanted something done with
it?"

"Done with it?"

"Yes. Look here," Wally put a thin forefinger on the letter. "Look
what he says--'Perhaps you will make some use of it that may interest
you.' Don't you think that means something?"

"I believe it might," Jim said cautiously. "But what?"

Wally hesitated.

"Well, he was just mad keen on the War," he said. "He was always
planning what he could do to help, since he couldn't fight,--at least,
since he thought he couldn't," the boy added with a sigh. "I wonder
he hadn't used it himself for something in connexion with the War."

"He couldn't--it's let," Jim put in quickly. "The lawyers wrote about
it to Dad. It's been let for a year, and the lease expires this
month--they said O'Neill had refused to renew it. That rather looks
as if he had meant to do something with it, doesn't it?"

Wally nodded vigorously.

"I'll bet he did. Now he's left it to Norah to carry on. You see,
they told us his own relations weren't up to much. I expect he knew
they wouldn't make any use of it except for themselves. Why, it's as
clear as mud, Jim! O'Neill knew that Norah didn't actually need the
place, and that she and your father wanted to be near you and still
help the war themselves. They didn't like working in London--Norah's
too much of a kid, and your father says himself he's not trained. Now
they've got a perfectly ripping chance!"

"Oh, bless you, Wally!" said a thankful voice behind them.

The boys sprang to their feet. Behind them stood a tall girl with a
sun-tanned face and straight grey eyes