The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1901-02-16
CHAPTER I.

gave me letter, saying simply. "The
gentleman's awaiting, sir" and | read
1t twice, without understanding it in
the very least.
D. Could II be a hoax? 70 satisfy my
self sat up in bed. rubbed my aston
ishcd and still half sleepy eyes and
read 1t again. 1t ran as follows:
h. GRAY h QuINLAN, SOLICITORS.
/" l0l LlSCoLS's Inn, July II, 49,.
Dear Sir-It is our pleasing duty to inform
you, at the request Of our New York agents,
Messrs. Smiddy & Dam Of 81 Chambers street,
New York city that they have now definitely and
conclusively established your claim as the sole
surviving relative and general leiratla of their
late esteemed client, Mr. Aretac 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 s14 900 900 and $j 000, DO0 say three millions
OF sterling money we have thought it right TO ap-
prise you Of your good fortune without delay.
Our Mr.. Richard Quinan will hand you this letter
lin person and will be pleased to take your in
Btrucions. We are, sir, your obedient servants,
j. GRAZ & QuINLAN
Captain William Aretas Wood, d. $. o., q
Charges Street, Piccadilly.
''Herc Savory. Who brought this!
DO you say he is waiting? I'll see him
I'm half n minute And, slnicing my
head In cold water, | put on favorte
old dressing gown and passed into the
next room, followed by Roy, my pre-
'cious golden collie, who began at once
Ito sniff suspciously at my visitor
legs.
h ! found there prim, little, old-young
gentleman, who scanned me curlously
Through his gold trimmed pince ncz.
ALTHOUGH, no doubt, greatly surprised
flor 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 Formally and respect.
IT must apologize for this intrusion,
Captain Wood you are Captain
WOOdW
k'Undoubtedly.'
81 am Mr.. Quinlan, very much at
your service. Pardon mc-is this your
dog? Is he quite to be trusted!'
y perfectly, if you don't speak to him.
Lie down, Roy! ! fear l am very late
n ball last night DO you ever 60 to
balls, Mr. Quinlan:'
Il mot often. Captain Wood. But II |
have come too early can call later
on"
( "By no means. am dying to hear
more. But, first of all, this letter. It's
all bona tide, ! suppose"
T. "WithOut question. 1t is from our
firm. There can be no possible mis-
take. We have made it our business
to verify all the facts-indeed, this ls
not the first we had heard Of the affair
but we did not think 1t right to speak
to you too soon. This morning, how
ever, the mail has brought full ac-
acknowledgement Of your claims, so we
came on at once to see you"
"How did you find me out, pray"
1--WE have had our eye on you for
some time past. Captain Wood" said
the little lawyer smiingly. while
we were inqulring-you understand
- ,,;o,,, +o 1o Cha hoct FOR
W.. wv, "- ' ' W
I'm sure Tn infinitely obliged to
you. But still can't believe 1t, quite.
j should like to be convinced of the re-
atty Of my good luck. You see, |
haven't thoroughly taken it in"
"' r Vs.. u.ah :, o;ros moro
,stan, :, an, ~ honJad ,,o trnorrit,
Wv $3.50" a',,'m u -, two nrorto
..n .o'' - .,1',,, "t'on va ,,,a ,',nhor
enee.' VI .' s .h'l Mou' v,r,. nrass
N.Y. ~. nt -, tho ,,ttnr rnforro,
~ ,,a,.a,,, - tho hoir.
~ ,ne s.".s" s"" ",,, ,na,',.I, ,ha.
a.ia" 'lnSs',l anu '''.eu '',,,. .,"t
.he'e eoul" y. Nv 'o' y, u""', .m,
~ '"st " 40 e,.". GUN CIV ,n". wy n,t
De p''Ss"' VII 49, a,,to
! From that they passed on to brler
enumeration of the assets, which COM
prised real estate IN town lots, lahds,
houses, stocks shares, well placed IN
Sestments or all kinds part ownership
OF lucrative road or railway; Inc
controlling power In shipping compa-
niles, coal companies, cable companies,
and mining companies IN all parts OF
the United States.
'1t will be seen that the estate Is OF
some magnitude" wrote Messrs. Smld'
dy & Damn. land we earnestly hope
that Captain William A. Wood Will
take an early opportunity OF coming
over to look into things for himself.
I'VE shall then be ready to give a full
account Of our stewardship and to ex-