“Your present decision points in that direction, as I have understood your uncle’s will.” “Thus far the three millions have been a curse to me. Mary would have been mine before now, if the three millions had not made me fearful of doing a mean thing. I act independently of this prospective fortune. I am beginning to be disgusted with it.” “Why so?” “Because it seems to have caused all my troubles, to have cheated Mary out of a true love, and made her brother a murderer,” replied Eugene, with startling emphasis. “I will make Mary my wife, though, come what may. Doctor, you do not say that I am wrong.” “I do not think so. You have a soul; you were born for noble deeds. I would do just what you intend to do. If I loved her as you do, she should be my wife in a week.” “I shall not use any unseemly haste.” “The three millions may yet be yours.” “Bah!” “If the three millions are not yours, to whom will they go?” “Half a million will be mine; the same amount will go to my sister, to a Dr. Lynch, and to each of three charitable associations yet to be founded.” “Half a million to your sister!” exclaimed Dr. Bilks. “Yes; is there anything strange in that?” demanded Eugene. “No; O, no! I was thinking of something; but I will not mention it. The thought was a disagreeable one.” “You need not fear to mention it.” “Excuse me, I will not,” replied the doctor, blandly. “It was an unpleasant suspicion, which does great injustice to a mutual friend. I will not mention it, for I am sure it is utterly groundless.” “What do you mean, doctor?” “I am sorry I hinted it; but it flashed across my mind, and I spoke before I thought of its meaning. I prefer to be silent.” “You say it concerns a mutual friend--of course you mean Mr. Birch.” “Really, Mr. Hungerford, you must pardon me. Mr. Birch is above suspicion. If I did, for an instant, think what might be, I drove the idea from my mind the next instant.” “I have sent for Dick Birch, doctor. I hope he will come. You know that his position is slightly in doubt just now. If you can say a word that will help me to explain it, you will confer a favor upon me,” persisted Eugene. “If you will answer me a few questions, Mr. Hungerford, perhaps the thought which came to me may come to you, for I will not be guilty of causing you to suspect so true a friend as Mr. Birch.” “Two hours ago, I would have knocked the man down who dared to say as much as that to me,” replied Eugene. “Then I had better be silent,” said Dr. Bilks, with a significant smile. “He is my friend as well as yours. I am grateful to him for what he has been to me, and what he has done for me; I would cut my tongue out rather than utter a word to his disparagement.” “Ask your questions, Dr. Bilks,” continued Eugene, impatiently. “If Dick were not your friend, I would not hear you.”