"John," said Elmer, "get the key for Mr. Jones. Jake, you and your father can go with the men, and, Mr. Jones, perhaps you had better wait with us, for we have a little matter of importance to settle, and we need you." "Now," said Mr. Franklin, "I have one or two questions I wish to ask the man, and then, Mr. Jones, you will do us a favor if you will take him away. "Lawrence Belford, as you value your soul, where did you obtain that will?" If a bolt from the storm overhead had entered the room, it could not have produced a more startling impression than did this simple question. Mr. Denny dropped his crutch, and raised both hands in astonishment. Alma gave a half suppressed scream, and even the sheriff and John were amazed beyond expression. The man in the chair made no reply, and presently the breathless silence was broken by the calm voice of the young man repeating his question. "I found it in the leaves of a book in the old bookcase in the mill office." "What?" cried Mr. Denny, leaning forward and steadying himself by the table. "My father's will! Did you find it? Release him, John. How can we ever thank you, Mr. Belford? It is the missing will----" "Oh, Lawrence!" said Alma. "Why did you not tell us? why did you not show it? How much trouble it would have saved." "Have patience, Alma. Let Mr. Belford rise and bring the will." "No," said Mr. Franklin. "Hear the rest of the story. Mr. Belford, you destroyed or suppressed that will, did you not?" "Yes, I did--damn you!" "Good Lord!" cried the sheriff. "Did ye hear that?--destroyed it! That's State's prison." "Oh, Mr. Franklin, Mr. Denny! have mercy on me! Do not let them arrest me." The poor creature seemed to be utterly cowed and crushed in an instant. "Marcy!" said the sheriff, taking out a pair of handcuffs. "It's little marcy ye'll git." "You ask for mercy!" cried Mr. Denny, his face livid with passion. "You--you wretch! Have you not ruined me? Have you not made my child a beggar, and carried my gray hairs in sorrow to the grave? You knew the value of this will--and you destroyed it! Your other crimes are as nothing to this. I could forgive your monstrous frauds in my mills----" Mr. Belford winced and looked surprised. "Ay! wince you may. I have found out everything, thanks to--but I'll not couple his name with yours. And the release of the mortgage--have you that?" "No, sir. It is in that bag on the table." The old gentleman eagerly took up the bundle that lay on the table, and began with trembling fingers to open it. "Wait a moment, Mr. Denny," said Mr. Franklin. "I should like to ask this man a question or two." Mr. Denny paused, and there was a profound silence in the room. "Lawrence Belford, if you are wise, you will speak the truth. That release is a forgery--or at least it has no legal value." "It is not worth a straw," replied the prisoner with cool impudence; "and on the whole, I'm glad of it. The mortgage will be foreclosed to-morrow."