The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-07-19

very night returned to New YORK,
received a visit from Mr.. NJ, the
famous attorney.
Drampton," said he, as he entered
the room. 81 have been here to see
you dozen times to-day. Thank God,
you have come home at last |"
"Why, what is the matter, Mr.
NJ"
81 am in great trouble, and l want
you to help me out. You knew Mr..
Norval, l believe ~
Certainly, know him well-he is
particular friend of mine; but why do
you use the past tense"
"Are you aware that he is dead ?'
Dead Is 1t possible y''
g Yes, he died yesterday"
is there any suspicion connected
with his death 2"
"None at all, he has been ailing for
some time. He died of disease Of the
heart A post-mortem examination has
settled that question satisfactorily. You
are aware perhaps, that was his law
yer, aud you also know the terms on
which he lived with his son. About
three months ago Mr.. Norval sent for
me to make his will. AS have before
said, he had been failing in health for
some time past, and did not know how
soon he might be called away from this
earthly scene.
drew up his will as he requested;
by its provisions Mary was made an
heiress, small pension payable at GER
tain intervals being only left to his son.
This will was properly signed and at
tested"
Excuse me for interrupting YOU"
said i, "but was Mr.. Charles Norval
cognizant of the provisions of his faith
er's will ?"
Not that am aware Of, but now
you come to mention it, / distinctly
remember at the time of witnessing it,
sudden rustling was heard at one end
of the apartment, and door that open
ed iutO an adjoining room was heard to
close, but no notice was taken of the
circumstances at the time"
Exactly, that must have been the
young man who was listening, for L
have reason to know that he was aware
of the contents of his fathers will"
And then L related the conversation
Charles Norval.
"This may be very Important" said
M, as soon as had concluded "but
let me conclude what l have to say.
The will had drawn up was confided
to my care. placed it in an envelope
and locked it up in my private desk.
The moment / heard of his death, /
opened my desk and took out the en-
velope in which had placed the will.
Judge of my surprise and horror when /
found it only contained blank sheet of
paper"
"A blank sheet of paper The will
had been distracted, then ?''
Exactly. When L made the dis
covery was completely thunderstruck.
/ could neither speak nor act. l sank
down into a seat utterly prostrated both
in body and mind. After little time 1
somewhat recovered my faculties, and
then began to turn over in my mind
the best course for me to pursue under
the circumstances. Fortunately I was
alone"
" DO you suspect any oneP"
" don't know whom to suspect. But
from the conversation you have related
to me, it is very probable that Charles
Norval has something to do with it.
But still it is utterly impossible that he
could have obtained access to my private
Office and desk.
" have three clerks, and they all
enjoy my most implicit confidence. In
the first place none of them knew the
will was there. They have been with
me many years, and cannot entertain
the slightest suspicion against them.
Long intercourse with the world has
taught me, however, to be cautious, and
l determined to keep my own counsel
so have not mentioned the fact to
them at all. closed and looked my
desk again, and went about my business
as usual" "
" You did quite right. Did the desk
show any evidence of having been look
ed into? 20
g Not the least in the world. Whoever
entered it must have possessed u dupli
cate key"
"And you have no reason to suspec
your clerks since ?''
No-when they entered watched