"This," he said, holding up the document so all might see the seal, "is the last will and testament of Paul Mason Abbott, duly executed in my office on July 23, 1922, six months ago, and witnessed by responsible persons, whose names are attached hereto." He cleared his throat. "The will reads as follows: "IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN. I, Paul Mason Abbott, being of sound mind, and residing at Abbott's Lodge, Hills Bridge, Prince Georges County, Maryland, do declare this to be my last will and testament. "I give and bequeath to Alan Mason, my cousin and only near relation, $500 in liberty bonds and the burial ground, known as the Mason Plot, adjacent to my estate of Abbott's Lodge. "To my good friend and physician, Doctor William Roberts of Washington, $5,000. To my neighbor, Guy Trenholm of Upper Marlboro, the valuable hunting prints which he so often admired, a sapphire and diamond scarf-pin, and $25,000. "To Mrs. Nash, for much kindness and hospitality shown me, my silver service, bearing the crest of the Abbotts. "To Martha and Charles Corbin, for their faithful service to my father, I give the sum of $1,000 each, and permission to live, rent free, in the gardener's cottage at Abbott's Lodge, for the rest of their natural lives. "To my fiancée, Miss Elizabeth Carter of Washington, I bequeath Abbott's Lodge, and the real and personal estate, not otherwise specified, of which I die possessed. "Should Miss Carter marry after my death, my special bequest to her stands revoked, and Alan Mason will become my residuary legatee, provided he is married before my death. If such is not the case, then all my property, as above specified, is to revert to the State of Maryland and Abbott's Lodge be made a convalescent hospital for disabled American soldiers and a fund provided for its upkeep, and administered by officials appointed by the Governor of Maryland. "I hereby appoint Daniel Corcoran of Washington my executor, and I charge him to see that all my just debts are paid out of my estate before it is divided. "(Signed) PAUL MASON ABBOTT." { "John Harbin, Witnesses. { Marshall Turner, { George Flint." Absolute silence followed the reading of the will. Corcoran laid it down and took several papers out of his brief case. "I have here a complete list of Paul Abbott's real estate holdings, investments and securities," he stated. "Roughly, his estate is estimated at a little over one million dollars." Trenholm broke the thunderstruck silence. "Great Scott!" he exclaimed, and involuntarily his eyes traveled to Betty Carter and Alan Mason. The latter was leaning against the door, looking dazedly at the little lawyer. Betty had risen and Corcoran, catching her glance, addressed her. He was a trifle confused by her expression and hastened to adjust his glasses that he might see her more distinctly. "Paul Abbott loved you devotedly," he said, "as you can judge from his will."