Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1906-02-01

space of some thirty footsteps and at
the close thereof to pause and survey
the walls. If We will then duly detel~
mine a height Of five feet from the
footway taereupon viii be disclosed a
small knobba, the which revolving will
give access to a large cupboard within
We wall Observe carefully upon the
back Of the cupboard and where the
oaken PANELS adjoin the stone. Here
we will perceive a spring, the which
pushing doorway shall open behind,
giving entry to an interior chamber.
A flight of stairway leadeth thence"
Here the parchment had suffered 80
grossly at the hands of time or from
the assaults of its natural enemies that
the characters became unreadable and
finally ceased.
1t was plain that this sheet had some
connection with the disclosure Mr.. Kes-
teven had intended to make to me, but
beyond this conclusion could not go.
And so after a desultory study of the
ancient characters / put it aside, lock-
ing it more by habit than of intentional
prudence in my private letter case.
I now stood honorabIy charged with
the last offices to my dead friend. An
inquest was inevitable in the circum-
stances, but it was no more than a for
mality, and my evidence, with that of
the housekeeper, Mrs. Main, and the
doctor from Llanellan, was sufficient to
close the investigation. 1t was not I'M
til these ceremonies were over that l
experienced my second surprise, sur
prise which, although / had become
somewhat acquainted with the eccen-
tricities of the man, fell upon me like a
thunderbolt Upon the morning after
the funeral rode into Raymond to pay
a visit to the lawyer, Greenstreet by
name, who, / understood, acted on Mr..
Kesteven's behalf I regarded this as
the last of my melancholy duties, which
discharged, was free once more to re
sumo the tour which had been SO
strangely interrupted. Mr.. Greenstreet,
the little fat, bowling solicitor whom
had already seen, received me with po-
lite ceremony. His face wore a min
gled expression of solicitude and salts
faction as he fused in nervous man
ner with his papers.
"a most melancholy end, Mr.. Create
rex" said he, shaking his head; $50
sudden, and sterling, honorable man,
sir. Well, we must all go some day.
l put the question for which / had
come and in response was saluted with
stare of astonishment.
"Any assistance, Mr.. GreatorexY he
echoed, surveying me, with his mouth
open. ANY assistance? Well, sup
pose you can be of some assistance. .
And he chuckled heartily, as If inyit-
ing me to join in his joke.
/ told him that was leaving the dis
trict that same day and would like to
know in what way / might aid him.
seeing that it was improbable that
should revisit the neighborhood.
"Then you do not intend to reside at
the CASTER he asked.
There was certain tone of condem-
nation in his voice which, though was
at loss to account for, / could not
but recognize.
"Why, certainly noty' said /. "Why
in the name of fortune should /? My
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 ii possible that
you are ignorant, Mr.. Greatorex? said
he. And looking at my interrogating
face he positively beamed. why, yes,
it must be so,' he said excitedly. Mr.
Kesteven, sir, by will under date OF
Aug. 49, has made you his sole
1t was now my turn for amazement.
The unexpectedness of the news left
me agape, and then, after the first
moment of silence, felt my ears slow
~ growing warm, and / knew that ]
was blushing red as peony in my
confusion and establishment.
| The greedy little lawyer enjoyed the
effects of his surprise.
"But the natural heirs I began,
stammering.
sThere are none," said he promptly.
''The late Mr.. Kesteven had no near
relatives"
"The will'- protested feebly.
"Was made three days ago. /, of
course, assumed that you were well
acquainted with its contents-a few
legacies to his housekeeper and the
servants, and yourself the residuary
legatee. In order, however, not to
raise your expectations too high, Mr..
Greatorex," he proceeded, now more
coolly and quite officially, Il may say
that there is little beyond the castle
itself-a bare competence and no
more"
waved my hand. "Good heavensF
said 1. But what right have p
sit is scarcely a question that re-
quires an answer" he replied dryly, $50
long as Mr.. Kesteven had the right.
But, by the way, may say-and it is
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