Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1901-01-10
i.-ss..s's*+a+.:.ss-.s: I. =
CHAPTER L.
NV American Millions

landlord, valet and general factotun-
anne in and woke me. He gave me a
etter, saying simply. The gentleman's
awaiting, sir, and | read it twice,
| without understanding it in the Very
| least.
| Could it be a hoax? To satisfy my
self sat UP in bed, rubbed my as
| tonished and still half-s sleepy eyes and
\ read 1t again. lit ran as follows:
GRAY Il QUlNl..AN, SOLICITORS.
! lol Lincolns Inn, July H. ls9--.
| Dear S.i'-lt is our pleasing duty to
| inform you, at the request OF our New
| York agents. Messrs. Smiddy & Damn
OF o. Chambers street, New York city,
that they have now definitely and con-
elusiNely established Your claim as the
sore surviving relative and general
heir-a Jaw OF their late esteemed
client, Mr.. Aretas Mcknight of Church
Place and Filth avenue, New York.
AS the amount of your Inheritance is
very considerable and is estimated APP
proXimalely at between $4,000 900 and
Sl5,0OQ,0O0, say three millions of ster
ling money, we have thought 1T right
10 appflse YOU of your good fortune
without delay. our MIR. Richard Quin-
lam Will hand you this letter in person
and Will be pleased to take your in
structions. We are, sir Your ohedi-
ent servants, Gray & Quinian.
Captain William Aretas Wood, ID. S.
O., Il Charges street, Piccadilly.
Here, Sasory. Who brought this?
Do you say he is waiting? III see him
in half a minute" And sluicing my
head in cold water, j nut on a favorite
old dressing gown and passed inso the
next room, followed by Roy, my pre-
cious golden collie, who began at once
TO sniff suspiciousy at my visitors
legs.
found there prim, little, old-young
gentleman, who scanned me curiouSlY
Through his gold-rimmed pince nez.
Although, no doubt. greatly surprised
for re did not quite expect to see an
archmillionaire in AN old ulster with a
ragged collar of catskn, with damp,
unkempt locks and unshorn chin at
that time of day-he addressed me
with much formality and respect.
II must apologize for this intrusion,
Captain Wood-you are Captain
Wood?'
"Undoubtedly"
II am Mr.. Quinlan. very much at
your service. Pardon lne-is this your
dog? Is he quite to be trusted?"
Perfectly, III you don't speak to him.
Lie down Roy. | fear / am Very late
ball last night. DO you ever So to
balls, Mr. Quinlan?"
Not often, Captain Wood, but if
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 fide, | SUPPOSE?
Without question. 1t is from our
ilrin. There can be no possible mistake.
We have made 1t our business to verify
all the facts-indeed, this is not the
flrst we have heard of the affair-but
we did not think it right to speak to
You too soon. This morning, however,
the mail has brought n full acknowl-
edgement of Your claims, so we came
| on at once to see YOU.
flow did you find me out pray?"
we have had our eye on you for
some time past. Captain Wood" said
the little lawyer snliitngly while we
We're inquiring understand
We're anxious to do the best for you
I'm sure I'm infinitely Obliged to
you. But Still | can't believe it quite.
should like to lie convinced of the
reality of my good luck. You see, L
haven't Thoroughly taken it in
Read this letter from our New York
agents, Captain Wood j gives more
details" and he handed me typewlit-
ten communication on two quarto
sheets OF tissue paper; also II number
OF cuttings from the New York press
The early part OF the letter referred
to the search and discovery of the heir
at-laW (mysell) and stated frankly
that there could be no sort of doubt
that my case was clear and that they
would be pleased, When called upon. to
put me in full! possession of my estate.
From that they passed ON to a brief
enumeration of the assets which COM
prised real estate in town lots lands
houses. stocks, shares. we'll placed in
vestnents of ali kinds, part ownership
of 8; lucrative ..roi,d," ca railway: the
controlling power in shipping COM
panies, coal companies. cable COM
panies and mining companies i'm all
parts of the United States.
Some nnapnitu,n' u,rnt, s,as.,..s. 60 ~
DIV e Da,,n ANA No o,,.,,a,.tl, ~
tb,t o,,,..,i, Iy-iii;. ~ ~ ii.i .,
take an e.,,.lv o,,a ,.li w oou VIII
oyer. tn Iool, into t,,i,,s 80 it,
shall Then no r..,'i,. ~, ,,i,.a ,.,,,i
count of o,lr sta,,.,,11s,,;,, ~, ~ ~, ~,
plain amy detaiis
..,,,.,>,,.,s,,.
,,-,i1 ', i.l'I, " IT, any s,hail nm
" i.s 80. We iiStN ,noaShl IL adj
~. GOO q Nv 81 gili o. exchange
,oi sooiVoo. a'is alV,-i' us ou.. ut cur
1,,i,, -. o'ia'te ~ slshl ana
ou 'i; ,'lse'i Ny US 70 the estate.
..;,,i,' nc 10. pa,. " elle iet.ef rs con-
I n.,,s W. aaia Mith mute
"hlu-a,.. .,,,,,,e.i,1,, ~, 4. -; y ~, ~
IA VIZ. ~ IS real mon
~ - ,.i,.i }" w no. .usil OUT 10 be Withered
lestNes.
W. ~" Mouiu you ilhe II paia captain
~. IL ,it.o soui o,iiiheis
IL ~ YOU i'ieast. aessfs. sykes &
s 1tllsl. .. inc army agents, OF Pall
NAL .I.
~ ssi,.ii ne coi ii, a once. l will call
.lieie, ~ you WI permit me, ON my
10y naeh 10 Lincoln IL =. is there
,' 'a,s e.ims more 10 AS 70 your affairs