‘Nothing whatever,’ said Alec. ‘He did not even know what its contents were, and insisted upon being in the room to hear it read. I can’t help thinking that if I really read out “five hundred thousand pounds,” as I thought I did, he would have made a row, instead of going quietly away.’ ‘But the minister was there too. He would surely have said something if you had read “five thousand,”’ remarked Sophy. ‘One of them is lying,’ said Blake decisively; ‘and, of the two, I’m afraid it is more likely to be Semple.’ ‘Beattie--that is the managing clerk at the office--came up last night and told me all about it,’ said Alec. ‘He strongly advised me to say nothing to anyone in the meantime--that is, anyone who might appear against me.’ ‘That was sound advice,’ said Blake. ‘The only thing that occurs to me to do is to advertise for the man who wrote out the will. He is sure to answer the advertisement. I will see that this is done to-morrow. And I will look you up in the morning, and be ready with another surety, if necessary--you understand.’ ‘Thank you, Blake. I never thought of that,’ said Alec, as he rose to go. ‘You must stay here to-night,’ said Sophy impulsively; ‘you must not think of going out in this fog.’ ‘Do,’ said Blake. ‘I’ll send a message to your landlady.’ But Alec would not stop. He would be more comfortable at home, he said. They all three went into the hall together. ‘Alec, old fellow,’ said Blake, putting his hand on the young man’s shoulder, ‘I’m afraid there’s a hard trial in store for you. You will meet it like a man. Don’t get excited and lose your head, and don’t allow yourself to be too much cast down. Hope for the best. Men have had to face worse things, and have lived through them.’ Alec grasped his friend’s hand in silence. Sophy took his left hand between her own. ‘You will be brave, and keep up your courage, I know,’ she said, as her eyes moistened; ‘and we will hope and pray continually that all may yet be well.’ ‘Oh, all right,’ cried Alec, in his old cheery voice. ‘As Blake says, men have had such things to bear and worse; why not I? Good-night.’ The touch of sympathy, the evident belief of his friends in his integrity, the cheering words, had made him a new creature. But there was one house Alec wished to visit before he sought his own solitary abode. After a long drive he found himself at Claremont Gardens. He wished to see Semple, and learn from his own lips whether he had actually read ‘five thousand pounds’ when he read the will to his uncle. But Semple was, unfortunately, out. Miss Lindsay was in bed with a cold, and Laura received Alec alone. ‘I suppose you have heard about this terrible blunder I have committed,’ he said, as he took his seat. ‘Yes, I was in the dining-room when Mr. Hatchett read the will. Dr. Mackenzie seemed to be in a great passion.’ ‘I am utterly unable to understand how it occurred,’ said Alec; ‘I want to see Semple, and ask him a question or two.’