e to England, and believed
to have gone to America, or the West Indies." Then followed some vague
speculations as to where and how this youth was possibly employed,
and some equally delusive guesses as to the signs by which he might be
recognized.

"Does that interest you, Gervois?" said Ysaffich. "This is the best part
of the narrative, to my thinking; read that, and say if your heart does
not bound at the very notion of such a prize."

The paper which he now handed to me was closely and carefully written,
and headed, "Descriptive sketch of the lands and estate of the late
Walter Carew, Esq., known as the demesne of Castle Carew, in the county
of Wicklow, in Ireland."

"Two thousand seven hundred acres of a park, and a princely mansion!"
exclaimed the Count. "An estate of at least twelve thousand pounds a
year! Gervois, my boy, why not attempt it?"

"You talk wildly, Ysaffich," said I, restraining by a great effort the
emotions that were almost suffocating me. "Bethink you who I am,--poor,
friendless, and unprotected. Take it, even, that I had the most
indisputable right to this fortune; assume, if you will, that I am the
very person here alluded to,--where is there a single document to
prove my claim? Should I not be scouted at the bare mention of such
pretensions?"

"That would all depend on the way the affair was managed," said he. "If
these solicitors whose names and addresses I have here, were themselves
convinced or even disposed to credit the truth of the tale we should
tell them, they would embark in the suit with all their influence and
all their wealth. Once engaged in it, self-interest would secure their
zealous co-operation. As to documents, proofs, and all that, these
things are a material that lawyers know how to supply, or, if need be,
explain the absence of. Of this missing youth's story I already know
enough for our purpose; and when you have narrated for me your own life,
we will arrange the circumstances together, and weave of the two one
consistent and plausible tale. Take my word for it, that if we can once
succeed in interesting counsel in your behalf, the very novelty of
the incident will enlist public sympathy. Jurors are, after all, but
representatives of that same passing opinion, and will be well disposed
to befriend our cause. I speak as if the matter must come to a head; but
it need not go so far. When our plans are laid and all our advances duly
prepared, we may condescend to treat w