say, ready to walk
into--and nearly three-quarters of a million of money, is to receive a
communication to your great financial advantage, then Bulrush & Co. had
not overstated their case.

There was no doubt about it, Anthony's ship was signalled. The pilot
was going aboard. Very soon the galleon would be in the stream.

If the double journey had proved too much for John Forest, so that the
prelate was compelled to rest before returning to England, at least he
had sent the will by registered post. This in due season had been
produced to the testator's solicitor, a benevolent gentleman of the Old
School, who, after an interview with Sir Giles Molehill and Blithe at
the Royal Courts of Justice, was entirely satisfied regarding its
validity. Indeed, his anxiety to wash his hands of the usurper was
almost voluble.

"And I may say, my lord, that I more than once spoke very warmly to my
client about that iniquitous proviso which he made me insert. But, as
your lordship knows, a testator has always been permitted to indulge
his utmost eccentricity, and my words fell upon deaf ears. He was a
difficult man, sir, was Jonathan Roach. But when the time came, and I
had to break the news to young Lyveden, it was a sorry business. I'm
heartily thankful it's going to be put right."

"I hope it is, Mr. Orphan," had replied the Judge. "But we've still
got to find our protege. That I must leave to you and Blithe to pull
off. I've done my part. But you must keep me informed, for I'm
determined to be in at the death."

The two attorneys had promised faithfully, and left the Judge smiling.
Benevolence and shrewdness seldom go hand-in-hand, and his lordship's
words had contained a subtle instruction to Blithe to shepherd his
elderly brother and not to retire from the case. The flick of an
eyelid had disclosed Blithe's reception of the hint.

With what result, we know.

And that is the sum of my arrears, gentlemen. Henceforth, if you
please, you shall find the street of narrative straight as a French
highway, with hill and dale certainly, but none of your hairpin corners
to send you doubling upon your tracks.

* * * * *

It was eleven o'clock of a Sunday morning.

Never was an hour more melodiously announced. The diverse tongues of
Oxford insisted upon its arrival for fully five minutes. Indeed, the
harmonious argument, which had begun as his lordship's car was nearing
Magdalen Bridge, wa