“Dr. Lynch, had you any personal interest in the marriage of Mr. Eugene Hungerford?” continued Dick, when the sensation attending the last answer of the witness had subsided. “None whatever,” replied the doctor, promptly, and with an elasticity in his tones which indicated his belief that all his troubles on the stand were ended. “If Mr. Hungerford should not marry, what effect would it have upon you?” “I suppose I should come into possession of one sixth part of the late John Hungerford’s property,” answered the doctor, with a cheerful look. “Have you, at any time, done anything to prevent his marriage--with Miss Kingman, for instance?” “On the contrary, I have always advised him to marry her, and done what I could to remove certain objections on the part of his mother and his sister.” This was certainly true, and there was a strong reaction, even in the mind of Eugene, in favor of the doctor. If the witness had been selfishly bent on obtaining the fortune, he would certainly have done what he could to prevent the marriage, which might, and probably would, vitiate his individual claims. The face of the doctor now wore an expression of triumph. He felt that he had nailed to the wall the insinuation implied in the lawyer’s question. The doctor had apparently made a point, and Dick had lost one. The cross-examination was continued, and extended over about the same ground as on the former occasion. The witness testified to the old story about the baby, and the woman from Newington. He had paid them no money; he had done nothing to cover up the truth. Other witnesses were called; but nothing essentially different from the evidence given at the examination was elicited; and at six o’clock the court adjourned. Dr. Lynch, in spite of the point he had made, and in spite of the bold face he had finally assumed on the stand, was nervous and agitated. It was clear to him that he was walking among traps and pitfalls; that he was liable to be tripped up at any moment. He could form no conjecture of what was coming, for Dick Birch had carefully masked his battery, and did not indicate what he intended to do. “Well, Julia, Dick is beginning to unveil the machine he has been building,” said Eugene, when the court adjourned. “Do you believe that Dr. Bilks is Tom Lynch?” “He swears to the fact.” “What does it all mean?” “Don’t you see?” “I can see, but I cannot believe.” Dick Birch joined them. “Dick, Julia can see, but she cannot believe,” said Eugene. “He who runs may read,” laughed Dick, in the best of humor. “Let us walk over to the hotel.” “Mr. Birch,” asked Julia, timidly, “do you attribute any bad motives to Dr. Bilks?” “To Dr. Lynch?” “Dr. Lynch, if that is his name.” “I do; the very worst of motives. In the course of this trial, if my testimony is not ruled out, I shall prove enough to satisfy all what the doctor is.” “Don’t be too hard upon him, Dick,” added Julia, with a little of her old playfulness towards him.