nd against one side, which yielded. She
pressed harder, lad it continued to yield, until it was pushed back
several inches. On withdrawing this pressure, the side returned to its
place. She then tried to see how far it could be forced in. As soon
as it had passed a certain point, a secret drawer, set in vertically,
sprung up, and from the side, which fell open, the will dropped out."

"It is singular," said I, "that it should come to light just at this
time."

"It is Providential, no doubt," Mrs. Montgomery remarked.

"What course will you pursue?" I inquired.

"My first step will be to recall Mr. Wallingford."

"I must take the liberty of a friend, and object to that," said I.

"On what ground?"

"This will may be worth the paper on which it is written, and no more.
If the legatee have no relatives, you stand just where you stood before,
and will require the evidence as to identity for which Mr. Wallingford
is now in search. Oh, no, Mrs. Montgomery; he must not be recalled."

The lady mused for a little while, and then said--

"Perhaps you are right, Doctor."

"I am sure of it," I replied, speaking earnestly. "This will, if we
find it, on examination, to be an instrument executed according to
legal forms, puts your rights in jeopardy, though by no means sets them
aside."

"You take the correct view, no doubt," was her reply to this. Her voice
was not so firm as in the beginning. As the probabilities began to show
themselves again in her favor, she lost a degree of self-possession.

"Let Mr. Wallingford complete his work," said I, "and find, if possible,
the evidence you require, in case you prove to be the legal heir, as I
trust you will. And until his return, the existence of this important
document had better remain a secret."

"Shall I not submit it to Judge Bigelow?"

I reflected for some moments, and then replied--

"Yes. He is your legal adviser, and one in whom the highest confidence
may be reposed. The will should be at once placed in his hands for
examination."

"And go upon record?"

"Better leave all to his superior legal judgment. But," as the thought
occurred to me, "who are named as the executors of this will?"

"I did not examine as to that, being too much interested in the
provisions of the writing," she replied.

"May I see the document?"

"Blanche, dear, you will find it in the right-hand drawer of the
secretary, in our room;" and Mrs. Montgomery handed a key to her
daughter,