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36 therefore I might be unable to recognize him. He has been abroad during the greater part of that period, and his appearance may have altered considerably."

"Nonsense, my dear sir,—nonsense. You would surely know your own brother, even if a dozen years had elapsed," he answered decisively.

"And suppose he really is Douglas?"

"The will is explicit enough," the elder man said, pointing to an open document before him. "This is a copy of it, and no codicil has been added. In the same manner as your late respected father, Mr. Douglas left the whole of his affairs in my hands. Fortunately for you, he never married, and the property is yours."

He felt bewildered. Such agreeable news was sufficient to animate with immoderate joy a ruined man who, a few hours previously, had contemplated suicide.

"Now, speaking candidly, Graham, have you any doubt that it is Douglas?"

"None."

"Why?"

"Well—for the simple reason that I believe he is dead."

"That's an evasive answer. Tell me the reason."

"Unfortunately, I cannot divulge secrets entrusted to me, Mr. Hugh. You may, however, at once rest assured that I am absolutely ignorant both of the motive of the terrible crime and the existence of any one likely to commit it. If I possessed any such knowledge, of course, I should communicate with the police without delay," the old gentleman said calmly.

"Then you refuse to state your reasons?" exclaimed Trethowen, a trifle annoyed.

"I do, most decidedly. All I can tell you is that I knew your brother had returned from abroad; and, as