American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1873-03-08
VOL. XXIII.

dead some hours. Coming up to London,
to transact some business that could not
be postponed, l resolved to call upon you.
MIR. Merdock. In the first place. | have
to request that you will attend the funeral,
which is fixed for the 9th. at noon. and
i'm the next place TO beg that you will act
on my behalf. as my legal adviser. in the
new position that devOlyes upon me I'M
der the terms of Mr.. Delpratt's WILL
81 shall attend the funeral, of course"
said the lawyer. 81 have sincere respect
for the memory of my late friend. l shall
attend, if you please, in my character as
professional adviser, during many years,
of the deceased"
"A carriage shall meet the early train
from town at Andover-the nearest sta
ton te Lupton Manor"
"Any business arrangements in regard
to your own future position it may be
we'll we'll perhaps to defer until after the fo-
LAS you think best. Good morning,
Mr.. Merdock. l will only add hope
that You will dismiss any prejudice you
may have formed against me in relation
to my life in the past. l do assure you
that am a different man. l am not now
as you once knew me. Good morning."
Later in the day the lawyers room was
abruptly entered by Mr.. Pixley, the sec
rotary of the AlbatrOss Insurance Com
pany, of which institution Mr.. Merdock
had been for many years the solicitor.
81 was passing, Merdock, so l thought
I'd look ill.," said Mr.. Pixley, an active,
bustling gentleman, who always declined
chair, finding that he could talk with
greater ease if permitted an erect posture,
with space for free movement and gesticrl-
lation. Were in for heavy claim. The
matters not ripe for discussion, but it's
worth mentioning. l don't say that it's
suspicious as yet but it's odd, and SOON
er or later, take it, you'll have to look
into it for us. Yet the parties are of great
responsibility; they always are. l notice,
in cases of an unpleasant complexion.
And it's odd, as 1 said. The life only
dropped four days ago. Yet already it's
been thought advisable to notify the fact
to us, and the party most interested has
called in person at the office. Now 1 con-
slider that rather sharp work. What can
be the reason it? It's policy of long
Standings heavy risk-we divided it, of
course, with other offices, but still we
stand to lose a large amount. The sum
insured, with accumulated bonuses.
makes heavy total. Is it all fair? That's
the question:"
''That's the name of the gentleman
who called upon yOu," said Mr.. Merdock,
and he handed the secretary MIR. Ernest
Delpratt's card.
1.-The very man! You've seen him
grass grow under his feet"
He didn't come here about the insur-
ance: but l happen to know good deal
about the case. The late Mr.. Delpratt
was client of mine. 1t was through me
the insurance was effected. He was the
natural son of old Joshua Delpratt, who
bequeathed to him absolutely the Lupton
Manor estate-a property of considerable
value in Hampshire. Joshua Delpra't
was never married. His presumptive
heir was his nephew, Delamere Delpratt,
the father of Ernest. Delamere Delpratt
was scOundrel, and Joshua proclaimed
his intention to Eustace, father than to
his nephew, Delamere, who had brought
disgrace upon the family. To assist Del
money. This was in JOshua's lifetime.
mind. Eustace could not of course
charge the estates, which he was only to
acquire under the will of man who
was still living. and who might at any
time change his mind as to the dispO-
sal of his property. The only security
Eustace could offer was his reversionary
interest in sum in the funds invested for
the benefit of his mother. and the subject
indeed of the Delpratt Trust, the deeds
and papers of which are i'm that tin box
beside you. Further, he could, as he did,
insure his life heavily, lodge the policies,
and bind himself to pay the premiums
tace never touched halfpenny. All
was absorbed by Delamere. On coming
into possession of the estates, Euetace
paid off the loan, but thought it worth
while to keep up the policies. He had
especially in view the benefit of the legit-
innate members of the family. OF these,
Ernest Delpratt is now the sole repre-
sentative; 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
raceT'
1.-The last of the race"
GO His father, you say, was scoundrel :;
and hep
swell, I'd rather defer my opinion. We
mustn't be in hurry. H. is, elearly-and
there he's wrong"
''II suspicious cases.
"Mind, don't say that this is suspi-
cious as yet" interrupted Mr.. Merdock.
"Let me continue. In suspicious cases
what we have to inquire is, who is the
person who benefits by the death of the
insured? If wrongs been done, there
must be an inducement, a motive for it.
Find out that, and"-
My dear Pixley, hadn't YOU better
leave it all to me? Don't keep dog and
bark yourself. I'll attend to it. Pm 60
ing to the funeral on the 27th.''
| ssYour are? Then I've nothing more
to say; only keep me informed of every
"Ofeverything. And mind you do the
same towards me-"
That night Mr.. Merdock left London.
On the morning of the 9th of NOvem-
Der a carriage from LuptOn Manor was
waiting at the Andover station to meet
| the early train from London. MIR. Mer-
| hnu hn lar M
the station some time before the arrival OF
the train. He was dressed in deep black,
and looked worn and anxious. Among
| the passengers brought down from town
was Mr.. Pixley. Mr.. Merdock hastened
towards him, and drew him aside.
g You got my letter, of course? Now
be very careful, Pixley. Don't say
a word more than you can help.
There's carriage waiting to take us to
Lupton, a pleasant drive over the Hamp-
shire downs. The drivers been resting
at the AndOver Arms; he only drew up
to the station when the train was in sight
He supposes that we both came down by
the train. You're understood to be my
clerk
They entered the carriage, and were
driven from the station.
Put up that window, Pixley. Thai
fellow mustn't hear US. This is delicate
matter, and we must proceed very eau
tiously."
sWell? And what's been done?"
"I've not been idle, but, I'll own, I've
but poor case as yet. can't get much
beyond suspicion. / cannot arrive a
proof. Still, I've set two or three a
work, ard something may come out a
any moment"
the funeral will proceed"
"Not so loud. Yes. You know, or
perhaps you don't know, what country
coroners are. And we've scarcely a pre-