Doctor Lawrence gazed sharply at the speaker, and then placed his glasses upon his nose, as Gertrude withdrew her arm and hurriedly crossed to the doctor's side. "Yes, sir," cried Saul fiercely, "a fit of indignation. I refused to--" "Oh, look here, let's have an end of this. I don't know who you are, old gentleman." "My name is Lawrence." "Well, then, Mr Lawrence--Oh, I know; you are my grandfather's executor." "One of them, sir." "Well, I've come home at my grandfather's wish, and I find he's dead, and this man ready here to bully, and order, and insist upon my showing my papers." "Hum, my dear, don't be alarmed," said the doctor quietly; and then he turned to the last speaker. "You come as a stranger, sir, and it will be quite necessary for you to give ample proof that you are Mr George Harrington." "Of course, old gentleman, of course." "To me and my colleague, Mr Hampton; but I think Mr Saul Harrington might have waited till those who have a right to question come upon the spot. Lucky I came down." "You got my telegram?" said Gertrude. "Telegram? No, my dear. I left home two hours ago. Now, Mr Saul, what have you to say?" "Oh, I do not want to interfere," said Saul quickly. "But there was no one here to protect Miss Bellwood." "Surely she needed no protection?" said the doctor, looking from one to the other. "How do you know that, sir, when a man comes here assuming to be my cousin." "Assuming!" cried the new-comer very fiercely. "Yes, assuming, sir. You refused to show any credentials." "Oh, no, I didn't, and I don't. But when a fellow begins to bully me, and to come the high-handed, I hit back. Look here, Mr Lawrence, has this Mr Saul Harrington any right to insist upon my clearing up to him?" "None whatever, sir." "That's enough. As to my refusing--not such a fool. Only we learn too much out in the West to begin opening out to every one who says, `I'm the proper moral custom-house officer: give up your keys.'" "I only interfered as the executors were not present," said Saul Harrington. "If this gentleman is what he professes to be, I shall only be too glad to give him the hand of welcome." "Thank ye for nothing. Now then, I'm hungry, so don't let's have any more jaw." CHAPTER NINE. PROOFS OF IDENTITY. The new-comer was furnished with refreshment, and at the end of a couple of hours, after a long talk between Saul and Doctor Lawrence, the visitor rejoined them, just as there was a loud ring, steps, and, to Gertrude's great delight, the lawyer entered the room. "Who's this?" said the young man sharply. "My fellow executor--Mr Hampton," said the doctor. "Hampton, this is Mr George Harrington." "Oh, indeed," said the old lawyer, setting down a very glossy silk hat, and depositing a new pair of black kid gloves therein. "Good-morning, my dear Miss Gertrude. Sit down, sir, pray." "Thank ye." "Mr Saul Harrington, are you going to stay to this little conference?"