Mr. Grey took the paper, and ran his eye rapidly over it. His countenance changed, for he saw that it would have great weight in a court of justice, completely substantiating Gilbert's claims to the estate which he wrongfully held. "Well," he said, looking up, after he had finished reading the paper, "I have read this document, and I have no hesitation in pronouncing it a vile forgery. It shall meet the fate it merits." So saying, he hastily tore it across the middle, and proceeded to tear it into still smaller pieces. "Now, young man," he said, sarcastically, "as I have no further business with you, I will bid you a very good-day," and he bowed, mockingly. "I think you are mistaken about our business being settled," said Gilbert, quietly. "Your forged document will help you little," said Mr. Grey, triumphantly. "I have torn it into a hundred pieces." [Illustration: "Your forged document will help you little," said Mr. Grey, triumphantly. "I have torn it into a hundred pieces."--Page 138.] "It is of no consequence," said our hero, calmly. "_It is only a copy of the original paper._" CHAPTER XX. BAFFLED, BUT NOT DISCOURAGED. The triumphant look on the face of James Grey faded, and was replaced by one of baffled rage and disappointment. "It's a lie!" he exclaimed, speaking rather what he wished than what he believed. "You are mistaken," said Gilbert, in the same calm tone. "The paper you have just torn up was in my own handwriting." "I have no doubt of that. I thought, all the time, that it was an imposture which you had got up." "I made a copy of it from the original this morning," said our hero. "Why did you not bring the original, if there is one?" "Because I was afraid you might be tempted to destroy it. It seems I was right," added Gilbert, with a glance at the torn pieces of paper which littered the carpet at his feet. James Grey was terribly provoked. He had "shown his hand," so to speak, and gained nothing by it. If his nephew's story was true, the dreaded paper was still in existence, and likely to be guarded more carefully than ever. Gilbert's calmness was a strong indication of the correctness of his story. Were the real paper destroyed, he could not help showing agitation. "Do you mean to say that you have another paper than this?" he demanded. "I do," said our hero. "You must show me that, or I shall not believe you have it." "I am not quite a fool, Uncle James," said Gilbert. "I know as well as you how valuable that paper is, and I am not going to risk it." "You seem to be a remarkably prudent young man," said Mr. Grey, with a sneer--"quite an old head upon young shoulders."