of friendship are paramount to mere professional ethics."

He sighed, clasping and unclasping his hands, yet with eyes steadily
fixed upon Cavendish, who had sunk back into his chair.

"Now consider the situation, my dear fellow. I have, it is true,
performed an unprofessional act which, if known, would expose me to
severe criticism. There is, however, no taint of criminal intent about
my conduct and, no doubt, my course would be fully vindicated, were I
now to go directly before the court and testify to the existence of a
will."

"But that could not be proved. You have already stated that Frederick
took the will with him; it has never been found."

"Quite true--or rather, it may have been found, and destroyed. It
chances, however, that I took the precaution to make a carbon copy."

"Unsigned?"

"Yes, but along with this unsigned copy I also retain the original
memoranda furnished me in Frederick Cavendish's own handwriting. I
believe, from a legal standpoint, by the aid of my evidence, the court
would be very apt to hold such a will proved."

He leaned suddenly forward, facing the shrinking Cavendish and bringing
his hand down hard upon the desk.

"Do you perceive now what this will means? Do you realise where such
testimony would place you? Under the law, providing he died without a