"It was unconscious. Are you--are you sure that they are Peter Piper's Popular Pills in that box?" "Sure? As if I could be sure about a thing like that! what do I know about such filth? look for yourself." Mr. Nash examined the box with a show of interest which its contents scarcely seemed to warrant. "How extremely--curious." "Fancy a man like Lindsay harbouring such stuff as that! I should think it was curious!" Though both men used the same adjective one felt that each read into it a different meaning. When Mr. Nash started to leave the house he found that the dogcart, which he supposed was still in waiting, had disappeared. He asked no questions, but drew his own conclusions. As he passed down the avenue, and perceived that Miss Harding was strolling among the trees, he smiled. So soon as the lady saw him she began to ply him with questions. "Well, what's happened?" "One thing's happened, you've sent away my dogcart." She looked at him with mischief in her eyes. "Walking will do you more good than driving; and it will cost you less. Besides, it will give you an opportunity of exchanging a few words with me. I hope you don't mind." "On the contrary, I'm delighted." "What have you found?" "I've found his will; he's left his daughter everything." "Everything! How splendid! I'm so glad he's left her everything!" Miss Harding's face could not have been more radiant had she received a personal benefit. "I shouldn't be over hasty in offering her your congratulations if I were you; it's quite possible that everything won't amount to very much." She seemed struck by his tone even more than by his words. "Herbert! What do you mean?" Mr. Nash kicked a pebble with his toe; then he whistled to himself; then he said, just as her patience was at an end-- "It's a bit awkward to explain, but it's this way; Banyard and I have been going through his books and papers, and everything there was to go through; and there was a good deal, as you know; and we haven't come on anything which points to money or money's worth. I've been putting two and two together, and I rather think I understand the situation; when all's over and settled I shouldn't be surprised if Miss Lindsay would be very glad indeed to have your little fortune." "My--my little fortune?" "I'm alluding to the snug little legacy left you by your venerated aunt." "It's--it's impossible!" "More impossible things have happened; and I think I'm almost inclined to bet twopence that her fortune's nearer two thousand shillings than two thousand pounds." "Herbert! Herbert!" "What's the matter? Why, little girl, you mustn't take on like that; what a sensitive little thing it is! it'll be through no fault of yours if she's left penniless! She's never been over nice to me, and I'm sure I shan't worry myself into an early grave if she is." "You don't understand!" she wailed. "You don't understand."