‘Corker says he thinks he can get him off, and he’s the best criminal lawyer in the country,’ answered Beattie tranquilly. ‘But you mustn’t talk of a trip to America,’ he added, with a meaning look. ‘If you do, you will never see one penny of your uncle’s money. I’ll see to that.’ ‘Oh; I was only joking, of course,’ said the other, as he took his leave. Semple was still living at Claremont Gardens, and he made his way thither that day, after parting from his companion. As he opened the door with his latch-key, Laura met him in the hall. ‘Oh, James,’ she whispered to him, ‘Margaret Lindsay has come up to town; and she is in the drawing-room now, with your aunt. She is waiting on purpose to see you.’ Semple muttered an oath between his teeth, as he very deliberately took off his overcoat; and Laura glided back to the drawing-room. ‘No, my dear,’ Miss Lindsay was saying when she entered; ‘nothing will ever make me believe such a thing o’ Alec. If your feyther has his doots, as ye seem to think, he has less gumption than I gied him credit for. Hoots! The thing’s perfeckly ridiculous!’ exclaimed the old lady, smoothing away imaginary crumbs from her lap as she spoke. Margaret felt more cheered by this speech than she had been since the blow had fallen; and at that moment Semple entered the room. ‘How do you do, Maggie?’ he said, going up to her in a hurried way, and shaking her by the hand. ‘I didn’t know you had come up. Almost a pity, I think; for this scrape, I mean this ridiculous accusation they have made against your brother, is a matter of no real moment. It is only a temporary--inconvenience, you know.’ The three women were listening to him in silence, and somehow his words sounded hollow and unreal, even to himself. Margaret felt hurt that her wound should thus be openly probed and commented on, and she made no reply. ‘Then you think that Mr. Alec Lindsay is in no real--danger?’ asked Laura timidly. Semple turned to her almost gratefully. ‘Not the least in the world,’ he said eagerly. ‘I have just seen B---- Mr.--a--the lawyer, you know, and he feels quite sure about it.’ ‘Oh, I am so glad!’ exclaimed Laura. Then there was a pause. ‘There is just one question I should like to ask you, James,’ said Margaret. Semple’s heart sank within him. ‘When Alec read over the will, did he read the bequest “five thousand” or “five _hundred_ thousand” pounds?’ ‘Five thousand,’ said Semple promptly. ‘Are you sure?’ asked Margaret, her large eyes steadily regarding him. ‘I’ll take my oath of it.’ ‘But Alec says, I understand, that he either said, or meant to say, “five _hundred_ thousand.”’ ‘There’s no doubt he read it as it stands--five thousand--and I heard him,’ persisted Semple. ‘But there seems to have been a mistake of some sort. I don’t profess to understand it myself.’ ‘Umph,’ said Miss Lindsay.