312 THE MASTEE OF THE HOUNDS. 



" Yes, my dear sir, perfectly, that the little piece of paper 

 in your hand is not worth a straw." 



The countenance of Mangle at this announcement under- 

 went a change, which the keen eye of Macvittie instantly de- 

 tected. " Ah, my dear sir, very prettily executed, but " 



" What ? " demanded Mr. Mangle, impetuously thrusting 

 the paper into his side pocket. 



" I do not attach any very great importance to your case, 

 Mr. Mangle— that is all." 



"Will you state your objections, then ? " 



" No, Mr. Mangle ; I must decline doing so at present." 



"Very well, gentlemen; then I must wish you good morn- 

 ing, and we shall at once proceed to trial." 



On Mr. Mangle's departure, Teagle asked, " What flaw did 

 you see in that paper, Macvittie ? I could detect none what- 



ever." 



"The figure 5 has been altered into 3 — and I am quite 

 satisfied, by the change in his face, Mangle knows it. Yet it is 

 so cleverly done, that not one man in a hundred would notice 

 the very slight, almost imperceptible to the naked eye, difference 

 in the colour of the ink." 



" This after all is a very slender thread to build a frame- 

 work upon," remarked Borum ; " and if they bring forward 

 witnesses to prove the marriage, and the birth of a son as well, 

 we are done for." 



" Ay, if they do," replied Macvittie, " that little word if 

 will decide the case ; but my impression is, they will not get 

 over that alteration in the figure." 



Scarcely had Macvittie turned the corner of Broad Street, 

 in the City, where Borum and Teagle occupied spacious offices, 

 than Mr. Harcourt drew up in his carriage, and was imme- 

 diately shown into Mr. Borum's private room. 



" Well, my good sir," began the lawyer, " we have had an 

 interview with Mr. Mangle, who produces a marriage certificate, 

 which Lord Malcolm's solicitor thinks has been tampered with, 

 and altered in the date, although neither Mr. Teagle nor myself 

 could discover any difference in the ink, or an erasure of any 

 kind." 



" Then, what is your opinion, Mr. Borum 1 " 



" Bather doubtful, my good sir ; and if they bring forward 

 wi tnesses to prove the birth of a son, establishing his identity 

 with this young man, we shall be out of court directly; still 

 there is the point to be decided, whether Miss Douglas, under 



