Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1906-02-01
(c~oSTINUED.1

space Oh SOME tulIlN ippISltElS aLt! III
the close thereof to pause and survey
the walls. If We will then duly deter
mine q height Of five feet from the
footway 1hereupon will be disclosed 4
small knobbe, the which revolving will
give access to q large cupboard within
We wall. Observe carefully upon the
back of the cupboard and where the
oaken PANELS adjoin the stone. Here
ye Will perceive q spring. the which
pushing & doorway shall open behind.
giving entry 10 an interior chamber.
A fight of stairway leadeIh thence
Here the parchment had suffered 50
grossly at the hands Of time OF from
the assaults of its natural enemies that
the characters became unreadab.e ana
finally ceased.
1t was plain that this sheet had some
connection with the disclosure Mr.. kes-
teyen had intended to make to NE. buI
beyond this conclusion l could not @.
And so after a desultory study OF the
ancient characters l put it aside. lock
ing it more by habit than Of intentional.
prudence in my private letter case.
now stood honorably charged with
the last Offices to my dead friend. An
inquest was inevitable in the c.rcu|-
stances. but it was no more than i for
mality, and my evidence, with that Of
the housekeeper, Mrs. Main, and thy
doctor from Llanellan, was sufficient 10
close the investigation. 1t was not III
til these ceremonies were over that /
experienced my second surprise. Il SUI
prise which, although l had become
somewhat acquainted with the occeH-
ticities of the man. fell upon NE r.c q
thunderbolt. Upon the morning aftc-
the funeral l rode into Raymond to paE
a visit to the lawyer, Greenstreet by
name, who, I understood. acted on MI.
Kesteven's behalf. 1 regarded this as
the last Of my melancholy duties. which
discharged, 1 was free once more to re-
sumo the tour which had been so
strangely interrupted. Mr.. Greenstreet.
the little fat, bowling solicitor whom l
had already seen, received me with Do
lite ceremony. His face wore a min
gled expression of solicitude and salts
faction as he fused in a nervous man
ner with his papers.
"a most melancholy end, Mr.. Create
rex" said he, shaking his head: so
sudden, and a sterling. honorable man.
sir. Well, we must all go some day"
l put the question for which l had
come and in response was saluted with
a stare of establishment.
"Any assistance, Mr.. Greatorex!" be
echoed, surveying me. with bis mouth
open. Any assistance? Well, l up
pose YOU can be of some assistance"
And he chuck1ed heartily, as if invit-
ing me to join in his joke.
l old him that I was leaving the dis
trict that same day and would like to
know in what way 1 might aid him.
seeing that it was improbable that l
should revisit the neighborhood.
b you do not intend to reside at
the castle:' he asked.
There was a certain tone of condem-
nation in his voice which, though l was
at a loss to account for, | could not
but recognize.
Why. certainly not!" said l. Why
IN the name of fortune should 1: Nv
only idea was, for Mr.. kesteven's sake,
to smooth his affairs for his success
Sors."
The little man started to his feet, and
his mouth widened in a broader smile
than ever. Then is it possible that
you are ignorant, Mr.. Greatorex?" said
he. And looking at my interrogating
race he positively beamed. why, yes,
It must be So" he said excitedly. Mr..
Kesteven, sir, by a will under date of
Aug. l6, has made you his sole heir"
1t was now my turn for amazement.
The unexpectedness of the news left
me agape, and then, after the first
moment of silence, l felt my ears slow
~ growing warm, and I knew that
was blushing red as a peony in my
confusion and astonishment.
The greedy little lawyer enjoyed the
effects Of his surprise.
"But the natural heirs I began,
s~tammering.
"There are none" said he promptly.
1.-THE late Mr.. Kesteven had no near
relatives"
1.-THE will'- 1 protested feebly.
"Was made three days ago. l, Of
course, assumed that you were we'll
acquainted with it's few
legacies to his ~housekeeper and the
servants, and yourself the residuary
1egatee. In order. however, not to
raise your expectations too high, Mr..
Greatorex." he proceeded, now more
coolly and quite officially. 81 may say
that there is little beyond the castle
itself-a bare competence and no
more"
l waved my hand. Good h]eavens.."
said |. But what right have r.
ut is scarcely a question that re-
quires an answer he replied dryly, $50
long as Mr.. Kcsteven had the right.
But, by the way. | may say-and it is
a curious cOinciQencc"-and here he
rummagcd among III; p~apers-'if you
are anxious to get rid Of the castle, !
dare say it can be managed. Oddly
enough, only this morning / had Il let
ter from Il firm OF solicitors in London,
assuming it was for sale and inqulring