The Red Window

ing man. Yet his tragic fate, and a certain pity therefore, had drawn together a large concourse of people. Distant relatives who hoped to be mentioned in the will were present clothe

his rival, Bernard, was dead with a stain on his name. In fancied security he moved along, not knowi

as his eyes rested on the smug face of the presumed heir. There was no love lost between the two men, and Julius privately determined that, when in possession of the property, he

ugh she believed him to be guilty. But her theory was that Bernard had been goaded into committing the rash act by the bitter tongue of his grandfather. It was a matter of disagreement between her and Julius that she should so mourn the downfall and death of Bernard. He reprovingly advised her to keep her tears for Sir Simon, f

e first to loosen them. Therefore, Alice waited at home with Miss Berengaria until the funeral was over. Then they intended to go to the Hall to hear the will read. Miss Berengaria had some idea of the punishment that awaited Julius, and would not have been absent for half of her income. She detested the young man with all the virulence of her honest nature. And she insisted on Alice coming also, although the girl was unwilling. This again was by Durham's advice. He wanted both ladies to understand exactly how matters stood. It would save him the trouble of an explana

in the graveyard, but the majority, thinking the spectacle was at an end, made haste to go. Julius with Durham returned in the carriage, and the rest of t

if Gore's body has b

eyes and looking as sad as any ow

ure if he did s

ry thou

not always

verdict been otherwise. It is not pleasant for me to have a relative accused of such a crime. But since he is

replied Durham, dryly. "You ne

e to me that I shou

ou really believe he

ectly before. Yes, I b

just as well

," asserted B

hink he can

makes you think so?"

Bernard was a go

s on a foggy night. On a fine day I dare say he might have gained the opposite b

nk," persisted Durham. "I wonder if I offer

easantly, "but no reward shall be of

herit the property, you will seek

rnard committed a vile act, and if his body has been swept out to sea all the

nce, and that he was prepared to act in a most niggardly spirit, lo

ned the supposed heir,

ath of Sir Simon, Ber

sneer that the lawyer longed to pitch him out of the carriag

gravely. "Bernard was the o

s. "Well, I'll be quite cont

"By the way, Miss Plantagenet and Miss Malleson have

as he alighted. "They would have shown

iss Malleson ha

he would have had a misera

re was a change indeed from the meek Julius of the old days. This presumed heir was obnoxious and insolent, thinking he was absolutely certain of entering into

ves were present, and Mrs. Gilroy headed the servants at the end of the room. Miss Berengaria sat beside Alice in a recess somewhat screened by the window curtai

id, "we have burie

ven Miss Berengaria, voluble as she was on all occasions, held her peace. She saw that Lucy was sincerely sorry for the loss of her cousin, and from that moment she entertained a

m sure that our deceased relative in his will has done all that his

ronet had been in no wise remarkable. Durham took no notice of Beryl's little speech, but opened the

he sum allotted to her did not satisfy her, as she frowned when it was mentioned. Beryl's name was not mentioned, but he did not mind as he was waiting for the disposal of the

laimed loudly, and with a ghas

"or, rather, I should say, by a will

Bernard!" cried

hich gives Mr. Gore the m

me. You read it to me yourself in your o

p the parchment; "but after you left, Sir Simon, re

is a

will state that it was never executed. Sir Simon changed his mind. The estate goes to Sir Bernard Gore, the new baronet, a

dead," said Julius

he death. A production of his body will be sufficient, Mr. Beryl," added Durham, cy

ol with me," said Julius, har

ised you w

oned in the will. "If young Gore really is dead-which I

ment. "In it Sir Simon leaves the property to charity with the exception of any legacies. This in the event of Bernard Gore making no

d the property go

thought how correct had been her guess when talking to the lawyer. As for Alice, remembering that Bernard was alive and well, she found it hard to contain her satisfaction that he had been

t dead he cannot inher

the lawyer. "You have

oved at th

urham, sharply. "If Sir Bernard"-Julius winced at the title-"is a

Berengaria in clear tones,

ut into wrathful speech. But his habitual dissimulation came to his a

at cheerfulness. "Sir Simon distinctly named me as his heir, and, moreo

t Sir Simon changed his mind and burnt the

wondering what was in his mind, watched him with her keen eyes. "But, as I say, I am hurt. I quite understood th

" said the lawyer. "

Julius, calmly. "However, it appears

never ex

. So far as I believe he is dead, but I hope Mr. Durham, as the execut

I am willing to give my cousin the benefit of the doubt, and should he reappear (and I hope he may) I shall do my best to aid h

response was made, save by Miss Plantagenet. She rose, and walking across the room, offered her hand to th

him but little, grasped her hand and thanked her with great fervency. Her speech was a r

hat, aunt?" asked

hat young man means mischief. I am taking Mr. Durham's advi

Nor, had it been spoken aloud, would she have attended. D

Hall for the present," he sa

r come home?" ask

is laid before me. As to the crime, I do not believe he committed it. However, I w

?" asked Mrs. Gilr

anged. Of course, any of them who

y old position, if M

t all things remain a

n orderly manner out of the room. The relatives also took their leave, amongst them Juli

ove that Bernard i

s Berengaria. "I'll w