‘Do you think, sir, that I, knowing my friend’s intentions, would have heard a will contrary to those intentions read out to him before signature, without saying a word of protest, or asking any explanation?’ cried the minister. ‘And do you think _I_ would have said nothing if such a monstrous bequest had been in the will?’ retorted Semple. ‘Come, come, gentlemen,’ said Mr. Hatchett, who had been listening carefully to all that had passed. ‘Mr. Alexander Lindsay doubtless read what was in the will; and the will is here to speak for itself. I think I had better finish reading it.’ He did so, and when he had finished, Dr. Mackenzie said excitedly: ‘We do not accept that document as a true exponent of the testator’s wishes. We protest--eh, Dr. Adamson?--we protest against it. We shall appeal to the law-courts.’ ‘Very good, gentlemen,’ said Mr. Hatchett politely; ‘all shall be done in a correct and orderly manner. You will select your own solicitors, whom I shall be happy to meet. Meanwhile, Mr. Carnegie, and Mr.--er--Simpson, you accept the executorship and trusteeship, as I understand?’ The two gentlemen, who knew enough of the world to know what this meant, yielded a melancholy assent. Miss Lindsay, seeing that there was no need for her further presence, made a sign to Laura Mowbray; and the two ladies left the room together. ‘And I will apply for probate, I presume, in the usual way,’ remarked Mr. Hatchett, rubbing his hands gently, with much inward satisfaction. ‘I have one suggestion to make, gentlemen,’ he said, ‘before we separate. I believe the domestics who signed the will as witnesses are in the house. It would be well to summon them now, before they have been led to suppose that anything can depend on what they may have to say, and ask them in your presence whether they can swear that these are their signatures.’ The suggestion was received with a murmur of applause, and some one rang the bell. Meantime, Dr. Mackenzie asked a question. ‘If I remember aright,’ he said, ‘the other legacies bequeathed in the will are of comparatively small value, perhaps not more than twenty or thirty thousand pounds in all?’ Mr. Hatchett bowed. ‘Then who takes all the money?’ ‘With regard to any property not specifically mentioned,’ said Mr. Hatchett, glancing once more at the document before him, ‘it goes to the residuary legatees.’ ‘And they are?’ ‘Mr. Alexander Lindsay is one of them,’ said the lawyer, while a grave look came into his face. He was stopped by the entrance of the servants, and James Semple was glad, somehow, that Mr. Hatchett did not go on to recite his name. It would have weakened the effect of his contradiction of the minister’s recollection, although, of course, the whole world must soon know how the matter stood. But as the words ‘Mr. Alexander Lindsay is one of them’ fell from Mr. Hatchett’s lips, a certain thrill ran through the little company.