ns
about the matter."

He frowned again as he conjured to his mind all the data of this
particular case.

"Of course, Farrington was one of the trustees; he was a friend of old
Tollington. That money would not be involved," he said, half to himself,
"because the four other trustees are men of integrity holding high
positions in the financial world of the United States. Thank you for
telling me; I will look up the matter, and if I can be of any
assistance to you in carrying out Mr. Farrington's wishes you may be
sure that I will."

There was a stir at the other end of the room. With a preliminary cough,
the lawyer rose, the papers in his hand.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he said, and a silence fell upon the room, "it
is my duty to read to you the terms of the late Mr. Farrington's will,
and since it affects a great number of people in this room, I shall be
glad if you will retain the deepest silence."

There was a murmur of agreement all round, and the lawyer began reading
the preliminary and conventional opening of the legal document. The will
began with one or two small bequests to charitable institutions, and the
lawyer looking over his glasses said pointedly:

"I need hardly say that there will be no funds available from the estate
for carrying out the wishes of the deceased gentleman in this respect,
since they are all contingent upon Mr. Farrington possessing a certain
sum at his death which I fear he did not possess. The will goes on to
say," he continued reading:

"'KNOWING that my dear niece and ward is amply provided for, I can do no
more than leave her an expression of my trust and love, and it may be
taken as my last and final request that she marries with the least
possible delay the person whom it is my most earnest desire she should
take as a husband.'"

Two people in the audience felt a sudden cold thrill of anticipation.

"'That person,'" continued the lawyer, solemnly, "'is my good friend,
Frank Doughton.'"

There was a gasp from Frank; a startled exclamation from the girl.
Poltavo went red and white and his eyes glowed. T. B. Smith, to whom
this portion of the will was known, watched the actors keenly. He saw
the bewildered face of the girl, the rage in Poltavo's eyes, and the
blank astonishment on the face of Frank as the lawyer went on:

"'Knowing the insecurity of present-day investments, and seized with the
fear that the fortune entrusted to my keeping might be dissipated by one
of thos