a chair.

"In better condition than you are, I judge from your looks, Mr.
Tremlett," responded the lawyer.

"I hope so. I feel awfully seedy," said Tremlett.

"Your own fault. You shouldn't keep such late hours."

"Oh, bother that, Brief! I must have a good time."

"You don't look as if you were enjoying your mode of life."

"Oh, I shall be all right when I get over my headache. Is this a client
of yours?" glancing at Ben.

"He's a relation of yours, according to his own account," said Mr. Brief.

"Is he?" inquired Tremlett languidly. "Can't say I ever saw him before."

"Mr. Baldwin was my great-uncle," said Ben. "That is, he was an
uncle of my aunt, Mrs. Jane Bradford."

"Indeed! Were you expecting a share of the property?" asked
Tremlett suspiciously.

"I thought Mr. Baldwin might remember his niece."

"He hasn't, though."

"So I find by the will."

"Sorry for you; but, of course, Mr. Baldwin had a right to dispose of
his property as he saw fit."

"I don't deny his right."

"Then you are not intending to dispute the will," said Tremlett, relieved.

"I never dreamed of doing it. I came about a house which my aunt
has been occupying rent-free."

"What is it, Brief? Do I know about it?"

"It's a small house in Milltown, Massachusetts, which belongs to
your uncle's estate. I found that Mrs. Bradford has paid no rent for
it during the last five years, and accordingly sent her an invitation to
pay up arrears."

"Has she done it?"

"No, sir," said Ben. "Mr. Baldwin permitted her to occupy the house
rent-free."

"That is your assertion," said the lawyer.

"It is true," returned Ben quickly.

"Show it to me in writing, and that will end all dispute."

"I hope yet to do it, but thus far we have been unable to find Uncle
Matthew's letter."

"That's all fair," said Tremlett. If the letter can't be found, the money
must be paid.

"My aunt is utterly unable to pay it. She is poor."

"That is no excuse in law, my young friend," said Mr. Brief. "She
must borrow the money then."

"Where?" asked Ben.

"That is not our lookout. As you are in business, perhaps you will
advance the necessary sum."

"If I were able, and were satisfied of the justice of the claim, I would
do so," answered Ben. "But I don't believe that Uncle Matthew
intended that my aunt should be distressed by such a demand. Why
should he have let the rent run on for five years if he expected her to
pay it?"

"