When Mrs. Harvey Middleton reached England she delayed but a day in London to attend to necessary business. This business was solely connected with her mission to America. Rudolph Rugg accompanied her to the chambers of a well-known lawyer, and testified to having had the charge of Tony, closing with the description of his death. Of course nothing was said of the well, or about his having thrown him in, for Rudolph was not a fool. The details of a probable story had been got up by Mrs. Middleton and Rugg in concert. According to them and the written testimony, Tony had been run over by a train on the Erie Railway, and a newspaper paragraph describing such an accident to an unknown boy was produced in corroboration.

It was an ingenious fabrication, and Mrs. Middleton plumed herself upon it.

Poor boy!” she said, with a hypocritical sigh, “his was a sad fate.”

“It was, indeed,” said the lawyer; “but,” he added, dryly, “you have no cause to regret it, since it secures you the estate.”

“Don’t mention it, Mr. Brief. It is sad to profit by such a tragedy.”

“You don’t take a business view of it, madam. Such things happen, and if we can’t prevent them, we may as well profit by them.”

“Of course I shall not refuse what has fallen in my way,” said Mrs. Middleton; “but I had formed the plan, if I found the boy alive, of bringing him home and educating him for his position. He would not have let me want.”

“Don’t she do it well, though?” thought Rudolph, who heard all this with a cynical admiration for the ex-governess. “If I was a gentleman I’d make up to her, and make her Mrs. Rugg if she’d say the word.”

“You think this man’s evidence will substantiate my claim to the estate?” she asked, after a pause.

I should say there was no doubt on that point, unless, of course, his evidence is impeached or contradicted.”

“That is hardly likely, Mr. Brief. The poor man suffered much at the death of the boy, to whom he was ardently attached.”

“So you loved the boy, Mr. Rugg?” said the lawyer.

Oh, uncommon!” answered Rudolph. “He was my pet, and the apple of my eye. We were always together, Tony and I.”

“And I suppose he loved you?”

“He couldn’t bear me out of his sight. He looked upon me as a father, sir.”

“If he’d come into the estate he would probably have provided for you,” suggested the lawyer, watching him keenly.

It’s likely, sir. I wish he had.”

“So it is a personal loss to you—the death of the boy?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Mrs. Middleton probably will not forget your services to the boy.”

“No, sir. I shall, of course, do something for Mr. Rugg, though, perhaps, not as much as my poor cousin would have done. Mr. Rugg, will you see me to my carriage?”

“Certainly, ma’am.”

Mrs. Middleton was anxious to go away. The conversation had taken a turn which she did not like. It almost seemed as if the lawyer were trying to find out something and she thought it best to get Rudolph away from the influence, lest Mr. Brief might catechise him and draw out something to her disadvantage.

Mr. Rugg,” she said, as they were going downstairs, “I advise you not to go near Mr. Brief again.”

“Why not, ma’am?”

“These lawyers are crafty. Before you knew what he was after he would extract the secret from you, and there would be trouble for both of us.”

“Do you think so, ma’am? I didn’t see nothing of it.”

“I think he suspects something. That matters nothing, if it does not go beyond suspicion. Unless he can impeach your testimony or draw you into contradictions we are safe, and you are sure of an income for life.”

“You needn’t be afraid for me, ma’am. We’re in the same boat.”

She frowned a little at the familiar tone in which he spoke. It was as if he put himself on an equality with her. But it was true, nevertheless, and it was unpleasant for her to think of.

Was there nothing else that was unpleasant? Did she not think of the poor boy, who, as she thought, was killed, and at her instigation? Yes, ............