Mr. Baxter had been written in momentary irritation, and that the firm, upon reconsideration, would see that the most satisfactory course to pursue would be a compliance with his suggestion. The answer to the second letter was still briefer than had been the former.

“Sir,—You can go to the devil or wherever else you feel inclined.—Yours faithfully, Arthur Baxter.”

Sir

Arthur Baxter

And the Home Secretary was on the horns of a dilemma. Afraid to litigate and thus end the trust—for the terms of the will were before him—worried by Scotland[58] Yard to compel a revelation, which the determined opposition he was meeting seemed only to intensify the apparent necessity of—he nevertheless clearly saw there was another possibility. Were the partners in the firm with diabolical cunning simply doing all they knew to compel him to litigate, and by so doing convey to them the actual property in the capital moneys of the trust, free from any legal or moral liability? And with the ingrained suspicion of the Government official he decided this must be the true explanation.

[58]

Finally, on an ex parte motion, he obtained an injunction pending proceedings, restraining the trustees from taking any steps in regard to the dissolution and realisation of the trust. Having done this he served notice upon them of his intention to apply for a rule requiring them to show cause why the trust should not be disclosed and the capital moneys paid into court.

[59]And then Mr. Baxter went and consulted Ashley Tempest.

[59]

“It isn’t often you come here on business, Baxter,” said the barrister, as he rose to greet his caller.

“No; our work isn’t often in your line. I think it’s nearly fifty years since we litigated a criminal case, and we don’t often litigate on the King’s Bench side either. To be perfectly frank with you, Tempest, I’ve come here as much for your advice as a man of the world as a barrister.”

“There are a good many men better qualified to give that kind of counsel than I am.”

“Possibly, but they haven’t your knowledge of criminal law. Do you know anything about trusts, Tempest?”

“A bit—I daresay as much as most of the men on our side of the hedge. But if 

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