scrutiny that had
something pathetic in its earnestness; but, as it met with no response,
his expression hardened. "Perhaps you would be good enough to tell me,
in the first place, whether any of you were in the library on
Wednesday?"

He looked at Victor as he spoke, and the dark eyes met his without a
moment's hesitation.

"I went out for a long walk immediately after breakfast, and returned
when luncheon was on the table. Afterwards Melland and I smoked on the
terrace until it was time to drive over to a tennis-tea. I forget which
house it was held at, but I remember we heard that the carriage was at
the door, and had to rush for it. That was so, wasn't it, Melland? I
think I should have little difficulty in proving an alibi for the whole
day."

Mr Farrell hesitated for a minute, then turned towards Jack.

"And you, Melland?"

"Oh, I was about the house! I don't remember going into the library,
but I might have done so half a dozen times, and forgotten all about it.
You gave me permission to borrow books as I chose, and I have been
constantly in and out. I could not undertake to say positively what I
did on any particular day."

"Ruth?"

Ruth lifted a miserable face, and shot a glance across the room. There
was none of Mollie's righteous indignation in that glance, only a
nervous shrinking which amounted almost to fear.

"I--I was in the library, Uncle Bernard! I photographed it several
times that morning. It seemed a good opportunity, as you were upstairs,
and I wanted the room for my collection."

"You were photographing. That means that you would be some little time
alone in the room?"

"Yes--no; I came and went. Not so very long," stammered Ruth
hesitatingly. It was terrible to be cross-examined like this, with the
eyes of the three men fixed upon her, grave and questioning. She looked
wistfully at the door, and half rose from her seat. "I know nothing--I
did nothing! I can tell you nothing more! May I go now? There is no
use staying any longer."

"One moment, please! You all deny having touched the will, and I shall,
of course, accept your word; but you must help to find the real culprit
by giving me every clue in your power. Was any reference made to the
will in your presence? Has anyone, for instance, expressed curiosity
respecting it and its contents?"

Victor's eyes turned to Ruth with a glance which brought the colour
rushing into her cheek. He did not speak, but his e