en left alone and
destroy it instantly,--eat it bit by bit if it were necessary,--go
with it out of the house and reduce it utterly to nothing before he
returned. He was still a free agent, and could go and come as he
pleased. "Oh, yes; you can go there."

But this was not at all the scheme which had really formed itself in
Mr Apjohn's brain. "Or perhaps we might begin here," he said. "There
are my two clerks just arrived in the fly."

Cousin Henry became first red and then pale, and he endeavoured
to see in what direction Mr Brodrick had fixed his eye. Mr Apjohn
himself had not as yet looked anywhere round the books. He had sat
close at the table, with his gaze fixed on Cousin Henry's face, as
Cousin Henry had been well aware. If they began to search in the
room, they would certainly find the document. Of that he was quite
sure. Not a book would be left without having been made to disclose
all that it might contain between its leaves. If there was any
chance left to him, it must be seized now,--now at this very moment.
Suddenly the possession of Llanfeare was endeared to him by a
thousand charms. Suddenly all fear of eternal punishment passed
away from his thoughts. Suddenly he was permeated by a feeling of
contrition for his own weakness in having left the document unharmed.
Suddenly he was brave against Mr Cheekey, as would be a tiger against
a lion. Suddenly there arose in his breast a great desire to save the
will even yet from the hands of these Philistines.

"This is my private room," he said. "When I am eating my breakfast I
cannot let you disturb me like that."

"In a matter such as this you wouldn't think of your own comfort!"
said Mr Apjohn severely. "Comfort, indeed! What comfort can you have
while the idea is present to you that this house in which you live
may possibly be the property of your cousin?"

"It's very little comfort you've left me among you."

"Face it out, then, like a man; and when you have allowed us to do
all that we can on her behalf, then enjoy your own, and talk of
comfort. Shall I have the men in and go on with the search as I
propose?"

If they were to find it,--as certainly they would,--then surely they
would not accuse him of having hidden it! He would be enabled to act
some show of surprise, and they would not dare to contradict him,
even should they feel sure in their hearts that he had been aware of
the concealment! There would be great relief! There would be an end
of s