“Oh, oh! so he’s been with you in London, has he?” His tone was by this time so frankly inimical, that Stelfox answered boldly: “Why, yes, sir; it was natural for him to stay with the only friend he had.” “Then you helped him to get away, I suppose?” “Yes, sir, after I discovered the drugged wine. I’ve kept it, sir; kept the decanters just as they were left that night. I thought they might be wanted, perhaps, especially after the fire, sir.” This was frankness indeed. Mr. Bradfield changed colour. “Do you mean to insinuate that I wanted to make away with the fellow?” he asked, abruptly. “I only mean, sir, that I thought what I could prove about the decanters that night, and what Miss Abercarne could prove about having seen you come out of the east wing just before the fire, and what Mr. Marrable could prove about old Mr. Wryde’s intentions, and what the will itself could prove about the way you carried them out--I thought, I say, sir, that all these things together might form a very good case, and that with a clever lawyer at his back he might hope to recover his property.” As each fresh charge was mentioned, John Bradfield’s frown grew deeper, and the lines about his mouth grew harder and more unyielding. At the end he turned his head, and sought the man’s eye steadily. And the man at last looked steadily at him. “And what, if it is not too straightforward a question, what share were you to have in the final distribution?” “Well, sir,” answered the man straightforwardly, and in exactly the same tone as before, “I may say that I expected not to be forgotten.” “Ah, ah!” chuckled Mr. Bradfield, triumphantly. “I thought not. Now we’re coming to it. Now I’m going abroad, as you see. I don’t admit the truth of a single one of these accusations, not a single one, mind. But I see you could make out a very plausible tale, for you’re a clever fellow, Stelfox, and I see I could be worried to death and half ruined besides, before the thing was settled. So look here: tell me what you want to keep your d----d mouth shut?” Stelfox went on quite placidly, as if the manner in which the command was given had been rather flattering than otherwise: “I want you, sir, to do the right thing by Master Richard. I am sure, sir, begging your pardon for having to say such a thing, that he will not be too particular in the matter of looking into past accounts.” But Mr. Bradfield’s not too sweet temper had been rising, and at these words he gave it vent. “D----n your impudence!” roared he, glaring at the man with so much ferocity that even the calm Stelfox moved a step nearer to the foot of the bed. “Do you think I’m going to be mastered by you, or that escaped whelp? No. D----n you both for a couple of accomplices who want to rob me. You can go to the d----l both of you, and I’ll be d----d if either of you shall get a penny out of me. Get out of my sight, or I’ll have the landlord prosecuted for allowing you to come in!”