distance--Europe or Australia, for instance. All I want is to keep him out of New York till my uncle is dead. After that I don't care what becomes of him." "That's better. I've no objection to that. How is the old gentleman?" "He grieved so much at first over the girl's loss, that I feared he would insist on her being recalled at once. I soothed him by telling him that he had only to remain firm, and she would come around, and yield to his wishes." "Do you think she will?" asked Tim, doubtfully. "I intend she shall!" said Curtis, significantly. "Bolton, I love the girl all the more for her obstinate refusal to wed me. I have made up my mind to marry her with her consent, or without it." "I thought it was only the estate you were after?" "I want the estate and her with it. Mark my words, Bolton, I will have both!" "You will have the estate, no doubt; Mr. Linden has made his will in your favor, has he not?" and Bolton looked intently in the face of his visitor. "Hark you, Bolton, there is a mystery I cannot fathom. My uncle made two wills. In the earlier, he left the estate to Florence and myself, if we married; otherwise, to me alone." "That is satisfactory." "Yes, but there was another, in which the estate goes to the son, if living. That will has disappeared." "Is it possible?" asked Bolton, in astonishment. "When was it missed?" "On the night of the burglary." "Then you think----" "That the boy, Dodger, has it. Good Heavens! if he only knew that by this will the estate goes to him!" and Waring wiped the perspiration from his brow. "You are sure he did not give you the will?" he demanded, eying Bolton sharply. "I have not seen him since the night of the robbery." "If he has read the will, it may lead to dangerous suspicions."