58 MISS BADSWORTH, M.F.H. 



*' Who ? Bailey ? " Jack asked, wilfully misunderstanding. 



" No. My uncle." 

 ~ " I've been thinking of that. It's the queerest business 

 ever set down in writing, I should say." 



Victor Bickersdyke put down his glass hurriedly. 



**You don't mean you think my aunt will dispute the 

 Will ? " 



Jack Morgan looked at his companion and read anxiety 

 on his face, and said doubtfully : — 



'* I can't say ; not the Will, but the codicil. You see, the 

 cab horse fell when the Squire was in town, and Bailey said 

 that during an interview with him Mr. Badsworth not only 

 mentioned the fact but sprang up and hurried away when he 

 saw a few drops of rain on the window. Of course his head 

 might have been injured, and it seems this precious codicil 

 was drafted that very evening or the next day." 



" There's not much evidence in that, is there ? " 



Bickersdyke filled up again. 



" Not much, but some, of course," Jack replied, taking 

 delight in spinning the man who had settled himself in an 

 arm-chair with an air of future proprietorship. '' There may 

 be more when we come to inquire," he added. He was well 

 aware, and had made Mr. Bailey understand, that the spots 

 of rain on the window simply meant a thaw. 



" You understand, Mr. Morgan, I shall keep a pretty keen 

 eye on the fulfilment of all conditions," Bickersdyke said, 

 filling up again. 



" I've not a doubt of it," Jack replied, feeling inclined to 

 wring the man's neck. " Unfortunately I shall be compelled 

 to do the same." 



" Another thing, Mr. Morgan, be good enough to keep 

 clear of a certain young lady in Cornwall. She is as good 

 as engaged to me." Bickersdyke winked one of his fishy 

 eyes. 



"I don't see that her name comes into this business at 

 all, Mr. Bickersdyke." Jack made a desperate effort at self- 

 control 



