"Well, I have neither wife nor children. I need not care; but suppose I make my will now; that's a good will, ain't it, between this and judgment, if things should go wrong?" "Certainly," said Mr. Blinkinsop. "No judgment no forfeiture." "And now, Doctor, don't be afraid; tell me truly, shall I _do_?" said Mr. Longcluse, leaning back, and looking darkly and steadily in his face. "It is a nasty case." "Don't be afraid, I say. I should like to know, are the chances two to one against me?" "I'm afraid they are." "Ten to one? Pray say what you think." "Well, I think so." Mr. Longcluse grew paler. They were all three silent. After about a minute, he said, in a very low tone,-- "You don't think I have a chance? Don't mislead me." "It is very gloomy." Mr. Longcluse pressed his hand to his mouth. There was a silence. Perhaps he wished to hide some nervous movement there. He stood up, walked about a little, and then stood by Mr. Blinkinsop's chair, with his fingers on the back of it. "We must make a great fight of this," said Mr. Longcluse suddenly. "We'll fight it hard; we must win it. We _shall_ win it, by----" And after a short pause, he added gently,-- "That will do. I think I'll rest now; more, perhaps, another time. Good-bye." As they left the room, he signed to the attorney to stay. "I have something for you--a word or two." The attorney turned back, and they remained closeted for a time. CHAPTER LXXXVII. CONCLUSION. Sir Richard Arden had learned how matters were with Mr. Longcluse. He hesitated. Flight might provoke action of the kind for which there seemed no longer a motive. In an agony of dubitation, as the day wore on, he was interrupted. Mr. Rooke, Mr. Longcluse's attorney, had called. There was no good in shirking a meeting. He was shown in. "This is for you, Sir Richard," said Mr. Rooke, presenting a large letter. "Mr. Longcluse wrote it about three hours ago, and requested me to place it in your own hand, as I now do." "It is not any _legal_ paper----" began Sir Richard. "I haven't an idea," answered he. "He gave it to me thus. I had some things to do for him afterwards, and a call to make, at his desire, at Mr. David Arden's. When I got home I was sent for again. I suppose you heard the news?" "No; what is it?" "Oh, dear, really! They have heard it some time at Mr. Arden's. You didn't hear about Mr. Longcluse?" "No, nothing, excepting what we all know--his arrest." The attorney's countenance darkened, and he said, dropping his voice as low as he would have given a message in church-- "Oh, poor gentleman! he died to-day. Some kind of fit, I believe; he's gone!" Then Mr. Rooke went into particulars, so far as he knew them, and mentioned that the coroner's inquest would be held that afternoon; and so he departed.