"He did not say very much, I admit, Netta; but he said that he would take the matter seriously into consideration and let me know what he thinks in two or three days."
"I am afraid that he wants to let you down gently," Netta said. "Well, well, don't looked vexed! I will say no more about it until this solemn judgment is delivered."
Netta was in the room when Dr. Leeds called, two days later.
"Netta is in all my counsels, Dr. Leeds," Hilda said, "and she is, as a rule, a capital hand at keeping a secret, though she did let mine slip out to you."
There was no smile on the doctor's face, and both girls felt at once that the interview was to be a serious one.
"I am well aware that I can speak before Miss Purcell," he said, "although there are very few people before whom I would repeat what I am going to say. I have two questions to ask you, Miss Covington. What is the date of this last will of your uncle's?"
"It is dated the 16th of May."
"About a fortnight before the General's alarming seizure?"
Hilda bowed her head in assent. The next question took her quite by surprise.
"Do you know whether this man Simcoe was one of the party when the seizure took place?"