The fact was that Dr. Mackenzie had resolved to stay by Mr. Lindsay until the will was executed, and be ready to fortify him against the attacks which he supposed the rich man’s relations would naturally make upon his resolution to enrich the Free Church at their expense. After skilful indirect questioning he had satisfied himself that neither Miss Lindsay nor Miss Mowbray knew what the old man’s intentions were. There remained the two nephews. As to Alec, Mr. Lindsay himself had told his spiritual adviser that he had confided in his nephew, and had made him promise to attend personally to the preparing of the will--a proceeding which Dr. Mackenzie strongly disapproved of, though he was too prudent to say anything on the subject. He was quite convinced that anything Alec could do to prevent the bequest being made would be done. With regard to Semple, Dr. Mackenzie was inclined to think, from the young man’s manner towards himself, that he knew of his uncle’s resolution; and the minister determined to do what he could to keep Mr. Lindsay and Semple apart for the short time which had to elapse before the will could be actually signed. For this reason he thought it imprudent to absent himself for the whole evening, and allow Semple to spend as much time as he chose in his uncle’s room without interruption. He had, therefore, managed to make the young man accompany him on his expedition to Exeter Hall. But Semple had only performed half his task when he had induced Dr. Mackenzie to spend that evening where he would be beyond his uncle’s reach. How was he to learn what became of the paper of instructions in Beattie’s handwriting, on the possession of which his fellow-conspirator laid so much stress? This could only be done by the help of an ally; and there was only one possible ally at his command. He waylaid Laura Mowbray as she passed downstairs to dinner, and drew her into a little apartment that was used as a kind of housekeeper’s-room. ‘I want to speak to you, Laura,’ he said; ‘and I have only a minute to spare. Are you willing to do me a favour?’ ‘That depends.’ ‘Don’t be foolish. Say yes or no. Don’t you know that our whole future hangs on what may happen during the next day or two?’ ‘I suspected as much,’ answered Laura quietly; ‘_your_ future, you mean. I don’t see how my future is concerned.’ ‘Don’t you? Are not our interests the same?’ ‘Not yet.’ ‘But they will be. Now, I only want you to do this. To-night, most likely by the last delivery, a packet will come by post for my uncle. It will contain a letter, a bulky document, and another paper, a single sheet of foolscap folded in four. The first two I don’t care a straw about; but I want to know what my uncle does with the thin paper, the sheet of foolscap. Will you manage to find out this for me?’