After the solemn and rather elaborate obsequies were over, a little assembly gathered in the library to hear the reading of the will.

As, until then, no one had known of the disappearance of the will, except the lawyer and the secretary, it came as a thunderbolt.

“I have no explanation to offer,” said Mr. Randolph, looking greatly concerned, but free of all personal responsibility.  “Mr. Crawford always kept the will in his own possession.  When he came to see me, the last evening he was alive, in regard to making a new will, he did not bring the old one with him.  We arranged to meet in his office the next morning to draw up the new instrument, when he doubtless expected to destroy the old one.

“He may have destroyed it on his return home that evening.  I do not know.  But so far it has not been found among his papers in either of his offices or in the bank.  Of course it may appear, as the search, though thorough, has not yet been exhaustive.  We will, therefore, hold the matter in abeyance a few days, hoping to find the missing document.”

His hearers were variously affected by this news.  Florence Lloyd was simply dazed.  She could not seem to grasp a situation which so suddenly changed her prospects.  For she well knew that in the event of no will being found, Joseph Crawford’s brother would be his rightful heir, and she would be legally entitled to nothing at all.

Philip Crawford sat with an utterly expressionless face.  Quite able to control his emotion, if he felt any, he made no sign that he welcomed this possibility of a great fortune unexpectedly coming to him.

Lemuel Porter, who, with his wife, had remained because of their close friendship with the family, spoke out rather abruptly

“Find it!  Of course it must be found!  It’s absurd to think the man destroyed one will before the other was drawn.”

“I agree with you,” said Philip Crawford.

“Joseph was very methodical in his habits, and, besides, I doubt if he would really have changed his will.  I think he merely threatened it, to see if Florence persisted in keeping her engagement.”

This was a generous speech on the part of Philip Crawford.  To be sure, generosity of speech couldn’t affect the disposal of the estate.  If no will were found, it must by law go to the brother, but none the less the hearty, whole-souled way in which he spoke of Miss Lloyd was greatly to his credit as a man.

“I think so, too,” agreed Mr. Porter.  “As you know, I called on Mr. Joseph Crawford during the—­the last evening of his life.”

The speaker paused, and indeed it must have been a sad remembrance that pictured itself to his mind.

“Did he then refer to the matter of the will?” asked Mr. Randolph, in gentle tones.

“He did.  Little was said on the subject, but he told me that unless Florence consented to his wishes in the matter of her engagement to Mr. Hall, he would make a new will, leaving her only a small bequest.”