The Red Window

died and he was left solely in charge. Wiseacres prophesied that, unguided by the shrewdness of the old solicitor, Durham junior, would lose the greater part,

than ever. Also Mark Durham did not neglect social duties, and by his charm of manner, backed by undeniable business qualities, he managed to pic

and attached to the railings which guarded the front of the house could still be seen the extinguishers into which servants had thrust torches in the times they lighted belles and beaux to splendid sedan chairs. A plate on the front intimated that a famous author had lived and died within the wall

med a striking contrast to the baronet in his antique garb. As the solicitor spoke he cast a side glance at Beryl, whom he knew slightly, and he me

near the table, which was covered with books, and papers, and briefs, and red

perplexed as to the baronet's motive for bringing the young man. "I have had

ad

" Durham indicated B

you wish," said Juliu

the old man. "You are

uld not hear it read," sai

rned his back on his too particular nep

ed a clerk. The will was brought, carefully engrossed on parchment, and Durham rustled the

not escape his uncle's notice, and he smiled in a grim way. Durham, without further preamble, read the contents of the will, clearly and deliberat

ration of the estate. The bulk of the property was left to Julius Beryl on condition that he married Lucy Randolph, for whom otherwise no provision was made. The name of Bernard Gore was left out altogether. When Durham ended h

llowed the reading with close atte

rdly know how to thank

man tartly. "We understand all tha

The will i

Durham?" said Gore

for your grandson. He has been taught to consider himself your heir, and has been brought

ence," put in

ham, that Bernard wants to marry a girl who has no name and no parents,

ding. "She is the aunt of Lord Conni

ston was in America,"

ho did not intend to tell Beryl that Conniston had been in his o

as a castle near

ows that. But he never comes near the place. Did you

ek young man stiffly, "and I have been to Miss

on. "You did not fall i

urse I am engaged

tive like myself," said the baronet, dr

e not that

ernard has told

ad. "I have not see

rits a little money fr

few months ago, and I gave him fifty pounds or so. That was after

know that I am i

. Certainly not fro

is. "Bernard has enlisted as

said Durham quickly. "Every man

ou go yourse

should," replied the lawyer. "But regarding Mr. Go

serves nothing. I l

irtuously, "a thing I do not wish, since it means your death, d

nd," put in Durham

for his disobedienc

opinion," he declared. "Bernard has behaved shameful

y can live on ten thousand a year and be happy. What is the use of getting more mon

d companion. I don't want my grandson to make such a bad ma

hard-hearted for months, and shows no signs of giving in. Since I am to inherit the

d the baronet. "Mr. Durham, we wil

t persuad

have done. I am sure Julius here will make a better u

ut I trust it will be many a long day

Sir Simon, dryly. "I intend

ter go now," obser

op and see th

hould be out of the room. Who knows but what Bernard mig

esent," said Durha

etter go," insisted t

u can go if you like. I shall see yo

ham, about to witness the will, Julius departed. He chuckled to himself when he was outside, thinking of his good luck. But at the door his face altered. "H

clerk away for a few moments. Rather surprised, the lawyer did so, thinking the old man changeable. When alone with his legal advise

though he had done nothing out of the way. "He is a mean sneak. He told

't approve o

uld have come out. All the same it was none of Beryl's business to make mischief. Besides, he is a sly creat

's sake that the will had been destroyed. "I don't think he h

Sir Simon; "look

might do is worthy of a novel. I do

n of the worst; I don't trust him. I have led him on to think that the will has bee

ill is made in his favor, you have placed him in the very positi

inconsistently, for certainly he was acting differently

cies, which remain much the same. Of course, in the

The fact is, I don't trust Mrs. Gilroy. S

r to be on the s

However, let the first will stand. She's a poor thing and has had

ilroy something of a mystery, and did not kno

hings remain as they are. Bernard can marry

e has been d

The truth will come a

ack into favor and te

om his Italian mother, and I have a temper also. He behaved very rudely to me, and it's just a

is not the man t

bought out at the eleventh hour when war is on is no

ham decidedly. "There is only one way in wh

t's

him, and ask him to

for a time. After all, he is the son of his father, and, bad as Walt

re! She

he is. The other day he came to the Hall and tried to force his way

his oth

He comes f

ore-your son's wife-

wards I learned from Guiseppe that the Tolomeo nobles are Sienese-and a bad lot they ar

is his

ame, the uncle is sadly in want of money, and

the man to be controlle

have put it out of Bernard's power to assist Tolomeo. If he gives h

rd provision," said

I must get home now. By the way, about that lease," and t

sted on recurring to the forbidden subject. However it was just when the old man was going that he reverte

the scamp," said

e are great friends. If he is an Imperial Yeom

d that out for me, so wait till he is on the eve of sailing. Then we'll see. If nothing else will kee

naturally ho

we meet. No, Durham, let Bernard think that I am still angry. If Lucy sets a lamp

indow. Wha

epeat rubbish. I'll come and see you again about that lease, Durham. Meanwhile, s

he has enough to go on with. I have

e fellow isn't starving. His conduct to me was

Bernard," thought Durham