‘Perhaps the direction to change the amount came after the will was drawn, and young Lindsay allowed all the rest of it to remain,’ suggested Beattie. ‘I should think it quite possible,’ continued he, ‘that the old man was under this minister’s influence, afraid of him, in fact, and that he privately told his nephew to make the sum only five thousand, but to read the will as if it were five hundred thousand, to save himself from having a scene with the minister.’ ‘Rather a far-fetched explanation,’ said Mr. Hatchett, with a smile. ‘Besides, the other nephew, Semple, says that his cousin read “five thousand.”’ ‘One of the two is clearly mistaken,’ said Beattie. ‘Or lying,’ said the lawyer. ‘Of course the case on the other side is that the two nephews made up a plan to get this money for themselves. Young Lindsay was to get his uncle to intrust the drawing of the will to him, alter the draft by striking out the word “hundred,” and deceive the old gentleman by reading the will as if it had been left in, while the other cousin swears that he read it quite correctly. The minister means mischief; I could see that. Well; we can’t say anything about it till Lindsay is convalescent. When do you think I could see him?’ ‘I expect he will be here to-morrow morning. There was a note from him a day or two ago to that effect.’ ‘Very good; tell me as soon as he comes.’ And here the conversation ended. As soon as Mr. Beattie was released from the office that evening he went to Alec’s rooms. The invalid was sitting alone, with a large fire to keep him company. ‘Well, Lindsay, I congratulate you.’ ‘On being indoors this dismal weather? I meant to have gone to my uncle’s funeral to-day, but the doctor bullied me into giving up the idea.’ ‘Why didn’t you tell me you were going to come in for half your uncle’s money?’ ‘Because I have done nothing of the kind.’ ‘But you have; and I congratulate you with all my heart.’ ‘Nonsense. I get five thousand pounds. So does Semple. The bulk of it goes to the Free Church.’ ‘That was your uncle’s original idea, I know; I took his instructions myself to that effect. But you must know very well that he changed his mind, and told you to make his legacy to the Free Kirk five thousand--and quite enough too.’ ‘I never----’ began Alec, bewildered by what he heard. ‘Stop a minute, man, and let me speak. I have just seen Mr. Hatchett. He read the will to them all after the funeral, and it seems there was a fine row. As it stands, the legacy to the Kirk is only five thousand pounds.’ ‘Five _hundred_ thousand, you mean.’ ‘Five _thousand_ only, I tell you. I saw the will myself in Mr. Hatchett’s hands, when he came back to the office.’ ‘But this is incredible. I----’