The clerk found the draft of the will on Mr. Beattie’s table. He was not quite sure that his superior had seen it, for Mr. Beattie was not in the office; but thinking he might be held responsible if the letter were delayed, he sent it off with the draft. ‘Do you know that your uncle had specially desired that Alec Lindsay should draw his will?’ were Beattie’s first words to his friend, when he met him at the restaurant at four o’clock. ‘No! Then the game is up!’ ‘I’m not so sure of that. There is a chance yet. It will depend on your skill and coolness.’ ‘On mine! I thought you said I was to know nothing, and do nothing.’ ‘And wait till the gold fell into your lap, eh?’ sneered Beattie. ‘I shall have my own share of trouble, and danger too, I can tell you. You may believe me that if I could do it all myself, I wouldn’t risk leaving it to you.’ ‘Then why don’t you do it?’ ‘Do I live at No. 21, Claremont Gardens?’ asked Beattie savagely. ‘What do you want me to do?’ asked the other. ‘I’ll tell you when the time comes. But why did you leave me to find out about this minister, this Dr. Mackenzie? Why didn’t you tell me about him?’ ‘I didn’t think it was of any importance.’ ‘Of no importance! I suppose he knows all about your uncle’s intentions?’ ‘I suppose he does.’ ‘Anybody else?’ ‘Not that I know of. I think not.’ ‘Very well. Now listen to me. The draft of the will will be sent to your uncle to-night, with a request that it should be returned by to-night’s post. It will be delivered about eight or nine o’clock, I imagine. Your business will be to keep this Dr. Mackenzie out of the way. Take him to some meeting--anywhere, in fact, but keep him out of the house till your uncle has sent back the draft to us. You understand?’ ‘Yes; I’ll see what I can do.’ ‘You’ll do nothing of the kind. You’ll _do it_.’ ‘I don’t know why you should speak in that way to me, Beattie!’ ‘Neither do I. All I know is, that no one must see the draft except your uncle himself.’ ‘I suppose I may read it, if he offers it to me?’ ‘No. Make some excuse, and don’t look at it. I know all that is in it. And remember this: the minister must not be present on Thursday morning when the will is executed. Can’t you make him go back to Scotland?’ ‘How can I manage that?’ ‘Insult him. Turn him out of doors.’ ‘Impossible.’ ‘If you can’t manage it somehow, you may say good-bye at once to your hundred thousand pounds.’ ‘I’ll do what I can; you may be sure of that,’ said Semple sulkily.