The Princeton union., 1900-11-15
CHAPTER l.

CHAPTER I.
MY AMERICAN MILLIONS.
Ut WAS the middle Of the night (as
thought) when Savory-my man,
my landlord. valet and general fac
totum-c in and woke me. He
gave me IA letter, saying simply, '"The
gentlemans awaiting, sir" and I read
it twice, without understanding it in
the very least.
Could it be hoax? TO satisfy my
self sat up in bed. rubbed my aston
ishcd and still half sleepy eyes and
read it again. 1t ran as follows:
GRAY 4 QUINLAN. SOLICITORS.
lOl LINcoLN's Inn, July II, 1s9-.
Dear SirIt is pleasing duty to inform
you, at the request OF our New York agents,
Messrs. smiddy & Damn OF 81 Chambers street,
New York city, that they have now definitely and
conclusivcly established Your claim as the sole
surviving relative and general heir-at-laW OF their
late esteemed client, Mr. Aretas Mcknight OF
Church place and Fifth avenue, New York.
As the amount OF your inheritance is very con.
siderable and is estimated approximately at be-
tween ST., 900 aud s50Oo 600, say three millions
of sterling none. have thought it right to ap-
prise you Of ,",n good fortune without delay.
Our Mr.. Richard Quinlan will hand YOU this letter
in person and will be pleased to take your in
structions We are, sir your obedient servants,
GRAY & QUINLAN.
Captain William Aretas Wood, D. S. O.. 2l
Charges Street, Piccadilly.
"Here, Savory. Who brought this?
Do you say he is waiting? I'll see him
in half minute" And, sluicing my
head in cold water, put on favorite
old dressing gown and passed into the
next room, followed by Roy, my pre-
cious golden collie, who began at once
to sniff suspiciously at my visitors
legs.
found there a prim, little, old-yOunS
gentleman, who scanned me curiously
through his gold trimmed pince nez.
Although no doubt, greatly surprised
for he did not quite expect to see an
archmillionaire in an old ulster with a
ragged collar Of catskin, with damp,
unkempt locks and unshorn chin at
that time Of day-he addressed me
with much formality and respect.
81 must apologize for this intrusion,
Captain Wood you are Captain
Wood?'
"Undoubtedly.'
Il am Mr.. Quinlan, very much at
your service. Pardon me-is this your
dog? Is he quite to be trusted?'
"Perfectly, if you don't speak to him.
Lie down, Roy! fear am very late
ball last night Do you ever go to
balls, Mr.. Quinlan?'
"Not often, Captain Wood. But if
have come too early can call later
on
"By no means. :. 1 am dying to hear
more. But, first Of all, this letter. It's
all bona tide, suppose?'
''Without question 1t is from Oul
firm. There can be no possible mis-
take. We have made it our business
to verify all the facts-indeed, this il
not the first we had heard of the affai
but we did not think it right to speal
to you too soon. This morning. how
ever, the mail has brought Il full &C
acknowledgement Of your claims. so w
came on at once to see YOU
How did YOU find me out, pray?"
I'VE have bad our eye on you fo
some time past Captain Wood" sai'
the little lawyer smilingly. "Whil
we were inquiring-you understand
we were anxious to do the best fo
YOU
"I'm sure I'm infinitely obliged t
you. But still can't believe it, quite
should like to be convinced of the re
ality Of my good luck. You see,
haven't thoroughly taken it in"
Read this letter from our New Yor
agents, Captain Wood. It gives NOR
details" and he handed me typewri
ten communication on two quart
sheets Of tissue paper; also a numbe
Of cuttings from the New York press.
The early part Of the letter referre
to the search and discovery of the hei
at-law (myselD and stated frankly tn:
there could be no sort Of doubt tn:
my case was clear and that they wou]
be pleased, when called upon, to p,
me in full possession Of my estate.
From that they passed on to bri,
enumeration Of the assets, which cor
prised real estate in town lots, land
houses, stocks, shares, we'll placed i
vestments of all kinds, part ownersh
of a lucrative "road," or railway; IL
controlling power in shipping comp
nies, coal companies, cable companie
and mining companies in all parts
the United States.
"It will be seen that the estate is
some magnitude" wrote Messrs: Smj
dy & Damn, "and we earnestly no
that Captain William A. Wood W
take an early opportunity of conf
over to look into things for himse
We shall then be ready to give q f
account Of our stewardship and to
plain any details. .- @s ..
Meanwhile, to meet any small l
mediate needs, we have thought it {
,visable to remit first bill Of exchan
,~. for $50,O00-say 91O,217 lis. 3d.,
current rates-negotiable at sight a
duly charged by US to the estate"