ee James Drane.

"So old Colonel Hite is dead, and you are his heir," was Drane's
astonished exclamation when his client had explained his business, and
had shown a copy of the will. "I congratulate you most heartily upon
your good fortune. Of course, I know all about this Henderson County
tract; for my father was employed to survey it, and to record the
claim, and afterwards to transact all business pertaining to it, until
his death, five years ago; then I was employed as agent. I have here in
my escritoire all papers relative to the business, and copies of all
correspondence which passed between father and Colonel Hite. Colonel
Hite visited Kentucky in '80 or '81, when I was a small boy; but I
remember the circumstance. From what I can recall of him as he appeared
then, and from what I gather from his correspondence since, I judge him
to have been a very eccentric man. For several years after the tract
came into Hite's possession, my father had considerable difficulty with
rival claimants--squatters, you know, who claimed it by right of first
settlement; but all such difficulties were adjusted long before the
agency fell into my hands, and now I can foresee no trouble, nor any
very great delay, in establishing you in your rights--to this part of
your inheritance, at least. As to the Virginian estate, of course, you
have already placed your interests in the hands of some competent
attorney in that State, and have complied with all the necessary legal
formalities. Now, in regard to this land of which I have been acting as
factor," Drane continued, examining some papers which he had taken out
of his desk. "Samuel Whitaker, whose claim adjoins the southeastern
boundary of the Hite section, pays a yearly rental of forty-six dollars
for 258 acres of the Hite land; and Daniel Pratt, who owns the
homestead adjoining the southwestern boundary, holds a ten years' lease
(three of which are unexpired) to 285 more acres. The remainder of the
section--ninety-seven acres--lying on Buffalo Creek, is low and swampy,
and has never been reclaimed."

A few more business details were explained, and then Abner told the
lawyer, as he had already told the Rogerses, that for the
present--until all business relative to the winding up of the Hite
estate was completed--he preferred to be known only as Abner Dudley. He
then took his departure, leaving with Drane a copy of the will.

When his client had gone, the lawyer barred his door, and then