e father
is known to have died rich, very rich--not that he has left as much by
half a million as vulgar report will have it--but what I should term
comfortably off; and it is unreasonable to suppose that a man of
his great caution and prudence should suffer his money to go to the
heir-at-law, that heir being a youth only in his twenty-third year,
ignorant of business, not over-gifted with experience, and having the
propensities of all his years in this ill-behaving and extravagant age,
without certain trusts and provisions which will leave his hard earnings
for some time to come under the care of men who like himself know the
full value of money."

"No, never!--'tis quite impossible--'tis more than impossible!"
exclaimed the bystanders, all shaking their heads.

"And the late Mr. Goldencalf, too, intimate with most of the substantial
names on 'Change, and particularly with Sir Joseph Job!" added another.

Sir Joseph Job nodded his head, smiled, stroked his chin, and stood
waiting for my reply.

"Property is in danger, Sir Joseph," I said, ironically; "but it matters
not. If there is a will, it is as much my interest to know it as it can
possibly be yours; and I am quite willing that a search be made on the
spot."

Sir Joseph looked daggers at me; but being a man of business he took
me at my word, and, receiving the keys I offered, a proper person was
immediately set to work to open the drawers. The search was continued
for four hours without success. Every private drawer was rummaged, every
paper opened, and many a curious glance was cast at the contents of the
latter, in order to get some clew to the probable amount of the assets
of the deceased. Consternation and uneasiness very evidently increased
among most of the spectators as the fruitless examination proceeded; and
when the notary ended, declaring that no will was to be found, nor any
evidence of credits, every eye was fastened on me as if I were suspected
of stealing that which in the order of nature was likely to be my own
without the necessity of crime.

"There must be a secret repository of papers somewhere," said Sir Joseph
Job, as if he suspected more than he wished just then to express; "Mr.
Goldencalf is largely a creditor on the public books, and yet here is
not so much as a scrip for a pound!"

I left the room and soon returned, bringing with me the bundle that had
been committed to me by my father.

"Here, gentlemen," I said, "is a large pac