A well-dressed man, with white hair and whiskers, occupied a stool in front of a fruit-stand opposite Nick Carter's rooms from eight o'clock until half-past nine on the morning following the trunk episode. The man was Peter Mannion, and he was making sure that Chick was not in town at the time of the opening of court. At half-past nine a telegraph boy appeared. He went quickly up the stairway of the house where Nick had lodged, and before his return to the street he was stopped by Peter Mannion. "If you have a telegram for Mr. Carter," he said, "I'll take it and sign for it. Here is my authority," and he produced a card upon which was written: "Deliver to bearer all letters, notes, and telegrams for me that may come to-day"--giving the date. "Nicholas Carter." The boy, without hesitation, gave up an envelope containing a telegram. When the book had been signed, Peter Mannion opened the telegram, which was dated Frederick, Md., and read: "Will be with you seven o'clock to-night. C. Carter." "Good! good!" and the villain rubbed his hands gleefully. "Everything is coming our way. Nick Carter is at the bottom of the river, and Chick, who will go to join him will not be here to interfere with the court business. The prospect could not be better. And now to prepare for court." At ten o'clock Peter Mannion and his lawyer entered the court-room. They were followed by Prosper Craven and Elmer Newton, the witnesses to Arthur Mannion's will. There were but few spectators present, for there had been no public intimation that the proceedings that day would be of special interest. Just as the calendar was being called Jackson Feversham, accompanied by two smart-looking business men, both strangers to Peter Mannion, entered and took seats just outside the bar. The first matter taken up was that of the will of Arthur Mannion. Craven and Newton were sworn and the fact elicited that the will had been signed at Craven's house, in the presence of the witnesses and of Arthur Mannion. It had been delivered into the keeping of Nellie Mannion. There being no objection, an order was made admitting the will to probate. "So far so good," thought Peter Mannion. "And now for the will as is a will; the will that means millions to Nellie Mannion and her dear ones." Rising to his feet, the uncle's attorney now made a motion that the matter of the will of James Playfair be taken up. "It must be judged by itself, as the court is aware," said the attorney, somewhat pompously, and glaring at Jackson Feversham, "for it is an olographic will, one which does not require the signature of witnesses. Having once proved that the will is in the handwriting of the deceased Washingtonian, the court must admit it to probate." The attorney sat down, and the judge took up the will, examined it, turned it over, and then said: "Produce your witnesses." "To prove the handwriting?" "Of course. What else?" asked the court sharply.