Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-03-01

Ono, though I made earefu, search. Some
r ugh memoranda a. to the disposal OF his prop
e ~ did End. but these were nsigned-mere
notes OF an informal character. Nothing In the
nature of a viii. Ynn know Of none?'' 20
81 know OF Eone.''
There was paase. Mr.. Merdock teek .
pinch of snuff.
"Mr Deipratt died rather suddeniy-that is
to say, he had heen suffering, az all his house,
hold well knew, from disease of the heart OF
long standing. stu none looked for his Illness
terminating fatally at 40 early date; HIS
medical attendant visited him frequently OF
late. He was not present, however, when tne
sad event occurred. He is fully satisfied, now.
ever, as to the cause of death. He attz1butest
not doctor enough TO understand precisely has
meaning" -,
The young man dabbea his white face with
his handkerchief. He was much moved, ana
his voice ;rembied as he continued.
"Ineed hardly say that my cousins death
has been a heavv blow to me. As You know,
NJ MerIOck In times past there were many
differences between us--dae to my folly, to my
misconduct. 4 am now prepared fully TO admit.
But we had been recOncilcd. We were on init
mate and affcctionate terms. regarded him
a. my benefactor, and was deeply grateful for
all he had done for me. Most unfortunately l
was absent fIOm the house at the time OF his
death"
Mr.. Merdock was silent but he now seemed
fTomfunder his beating brows to eve his visitor
with new curiosity. His attention was at
traeted perhaps by the restlessness that marked
IN his Chair, shifting his position CONSTANTLY.
and twisting his handkerchief into string By
the unconscious contortiOns of his hands.
81 had left the house early in the morning
10 attend the meeting some miles distance from
Lnpton. 1t was late when / returned. Ny
cousin had then been dead some hours. Com
ing up TO London, to transact some business
that could not be postponed, / resolved to call
upon YOU, Mr. Merdock. In the first place,
have to request that you will attend the fun
eIal, which is fixed for the 9th, at nOon and in
tn no AT y-nn Wi nRf m m
behalf, as my legal adviser, in the new position
that devolves upon me under the terms of Mr..
~ shall attend the funeral, of ;" said
the lawyer. II have, sincere respect for the
memory of my late friend. ] shall attend, if
yon please, in my character as professional ad-
wiser, during many years of the deceased"
"A Carriage shall meet the early train from
town at Andover-the nearest station 10 Lup-
ANY business arrangements in regard to
your own future position it may be well, per-
haps, to defer until after the funeral"
AS you think best. Good morning, Mr.:
MerdOck. will only add hope that you will
dismiss any prejudice you may have formed
against me in relation to my life In the past
tio assure you that am different man. am
not now as you once knew me. Good morning.
They shook hands and parted Mr.. NIerdock
resumed his desk. after carefully rubbing his
fingers with his silk handkerchief They had
been lett so cold and clammy by his visitors
grasp
Apparently Mr.. Merdock was not indus
tticu>iN lntllneu tnat udy, or he was IreOccu-
pied; his attention was absorbed by the news of
the death of his friend and client, Eustace
We're Delpratt. He found a difficulty i'll deyot-
ing himself to other matters. He sat idly in
ms chair, glaDcing now at the tin box, now at
the first column Of the Times newspaper. now
at the graveyard outside his window. And at
intervals he studied the card OF Mr.. Ernest Del
pratt.
Later in the day the lawyers room was alb
ruptly entered by Mr.. Pixey, the secretary OF
the Albafross Insurance Company, of which in
I,nI
the solicitor.
81 was passing, Merdock, so thought I'd
look in said Mr.. Pixley, an active, 5ustling
gentleman, who always declined a chair. fnt-
ing that he cOuld talk with greater ease if per-
United an erect posture, with space for free
movement and festiculation. "We're in for a
heayy claim. The matters not ripe for discus-
sion, hut it's worth mentioning don't saw
that it's suspicious as vet; but its odd ami
sooner or later, take it,yOu II have to look into
ii lot Us hi me parties are OF great respecta-
hiiltyi they always are, notice, i'm cases of an
unpleasant complexion. And it's odd, as [
said. The life only dropped four DAYS ago. Yet
aiIeady IL : been thought advisable to notify
called in person at the Office. Now / consider
that rather sharp work. What can be the rea-
son OF II; It's policy of long standing-a
hcaVy riSk-we divided il OF course with other
onces, but still we stand to lose n large amount
The sum insured. with accumulated bonuses
makes heavy total. Isit all fair? That's the
.. That's the name of the gentleman who cal,
led upon you, said Mr.. MerdOck and H. Ia nded
the g eretary Mr. Ernest Delpratt's card.
The very man. You've seen him also,
under hi feet
:. He didn't come here about the insurance:
I'm hapren Ia know a good deal about the
case. The late MIR. Delpratt was client of
mine 1t was through me the insurance was
en- etHd. He was the natural son of old Joshua
Dellratt, who beIueathed 20 him absolutely
the LuPton Manor estate-a property of con-
siderable value IN Hampshire. Joshua Delpratt
was never married. His presnmptive heir was
his nephew, Delamere Delpratt. the father of
Finest. You follow me?''
You're getting complicated. But at pre-
Joshua proclaimed his intention to leave all he
possessed to Eustace. rather than to his ne
P t,e nelameTe' who had brought disgrace upon
rowed a large sum OF money. This was
IN Joshua's lifetime, mind. Eustace could not
OF course charge the estates, which he was only
10 acquire under the viii of a man who was
stiil living, and who might at any time change
his mind a to the disposal OF his property The
only security Eustace could offer was his reyer-
slonary interest in sum in the funds invested
for the benefit of his mother, and the subject
indeed of the Delpratt Trust, the deeds and pa
Pers Of which are in that tin box beside you
heavily, lodge the policies, and bind himself TO
pay the premiums regularly. OF the money
advanced Eustaee never touched half penny.
All was absorbed by Delamere. On cominginto
possession Of the estates, Eustace paidl off the
loan, but thought it worth while to keep up the
policies. He had especially In view the benefit
of the legitimate members of the family. OF
these the man you saw 10 day
:. did not see him, interrupted Mr.. Pixley.
was engaged when he called. But heard
OF his visit from the MISUNDERSTANDING who
had some conversation with him."
"Well, of these Ernest Delpratt is now the
sole representative; for Delamere, his father
died OF drink. many years ago, leaving no other
issue Eustace, my old friend and client, left
no children Here you have, briefly told the
story of the Delpratts."
Then this Ernest is the last of the race?''
g The last Of the race
he?'' = - ~
.Well, I'd rather defer my opinion. We
mustn't be in hurry. He is, clearly-anI there
he's wrong Hurry, needless hurry-and hurry
is generally needless-prOvokes distrust. The
case must he looked into, but very quietly"
90 In suspicious cases.
Mind, don't saw that this Is suspicious as
yet" interrupted Mr.. MerdOck.
g Let me continue. In suspicious cases what
We have 10 inquire is, who Is the person who
benedts by the death of the insured? Ifwrong's
been done, there must be an inducement, a mo-
tive Tor IT. Find out that, and''-
My dear Pixley, hadn't you better leave it
an an, 70 meI Don't keep dog and bark yourself,
III aIte nd to It, Pm going to the funeral on