DETECTION.
Afternoon school was over. Mr. Wilberforce had been some time at home, and was bestowing a sharp lecture on his son Edwin for some delinquency, when he was told that Lawyer Fauntleroy waited in his study. The master brought his anger to a summary conclusion, and went into the presence of his visitor.
"My business is not of a pleasant nature," he premised. "I must tell you in confidence, Mr. Wilberforce, that after all the doubt and discredit cast upon the affair, Robert Carr was discovered to have married that girl at St. James's—your church now—and the entry was found there."
"I know it," said Mr. Wilberforce. "I saw it in the register."
The lawyer stared. "Just repeat that, will you?" said he, putting his hand to his ear as if he were deaf.
"I heard it was to be found there, and the first time afterwards that I had occasion to make an entry in the register, I turned back to the date, out of curiosity, and read it."
"Now I am as pleased to hear you say that as if you had put me down a five-hundred pound note," cried Mr. Fauntleroy. "I daresay you'll not object, if called upon, to bear testimony that the marriage was registered there."
"The register itself will be the best testimony," observed Mr. Wilberforce.
"It would have been," said the lawyer; "but that entry has been taken out of the register."
"Taken out!" repeated Mr. Wilberforce.