auze soaked in the salt solution and quickly returned the
coat, repeating the process with Doctor Putnam's coat and, last, that of
Tom himself. Finally he turned his back while I sealed the glasses and
marked and recorded them on my slip.

The next day was spent mainly in preparations for the journey to New
York with the body of Lewis Langley. Kennedy was very busy on
what seemed to me to be preparations for some mysterious chemical
experiments. I found myself fully occupied in keeping special
correspondents from all over the country at bay.

That evening after dinner we were all sitting in the open summer house
over the boat-house. Smudges of green pine were burning and smoking on
little artificial islands of stone near the lake shore, lighting up the
trees on every side with a red glare. Tom and his sister were seated
with Kennedy and myself on one side, while some distance from us
Harrington was engaged in earnest conversation with Isabelle. The other
members of the family were further removed. That seemed typical to me of
the way the family group split up.

"Mr. Kennedy," remarked Grace in a thoughtful, low tone, "what do you
make of that Record article?"

"Very clever, no doubt," replied Craig.

"But don't you think it strange about the will?"

"Hush," whispered Tom, for Isabelle and Harrington had ceased talking
and might perhaps be listening.

Just then one of the servants came up with a telegram.

Tom hastily opened it and read the message eagerly in the corner of the
summer house nearest one of the glowing smudges. I felt instinctively
that it was from his lawyer. He turned and beckoned to Kennedy and
myself.

"What do you think of that?" he whispered hoarsely.

We bent over and in the flickering light read the message:

New York papers full of spontaneous combustion story. Record had
exclusive story yesterday, but all papers to-day feature even more.
Is it true? Please wire additional details at once. Also immediate
instructions regarding loss of will. Has been abstracted from safe.
Could Lewis Langley have taken it himself? Unless new facts soon must
make loss public or issue statement Lewis Langley intestate.

DANIEL CLARK

Tom looked blankly at Kennedy, and then at his sister, who was sitting
alone. I thought I could read what was passing in his mind. With all
his faults Lewis Langley had been a good foster-parent to his adopted
children. But it was all over now if the will