Morley, handing them to the young man, "and
you will see that Powell died over four months ago in Sydney. His
solicitors arranged about the estate in the colony of New South Wales,
and then communicated with Asher as Powell had advised them before he
died. There is a copy of the will there."

"So I see. But tell me the chief points in it. I feel too tired to wade
through all this legal matter."

"Well, the money was left to Daisy, and failing her it goes to a man
called George Franklin."

"H'm! He has come in for his kingdom very speedily, thanks to the death
of poor Daisy. Who is he?"

Morley glanced at a letter. "He was the brother-in-law of Mr.
Powell--married Powell's sister who is dead. I don't know if there is
any family. Asher's firm doesn't know the whereabouts of Franklin, but
they are advertising for him. The five thousand a year goes to him
without reservation."

"Why did they tell you all this?"

"I really can't say, unless it is because I was Daisy's legal guardian.
I wish she had come in for this money, Ware, for I do not say but what I
shouldn't have been glad of a trifle. And if Daisy had lived she would
have paid me something. Certainly as I did what I did do out of sheer
friendship with her father, I have no right to demand anything, but when
Franklin hears of my circumstances I hope he will lend me some money to
get me out of my difficulties."

"It all depends upon the kind of man he turns out to be. But I always
thought, Morley, that it was your wife to whom Kent left his daughter.
She was an old friend of his."

"Quite so; but Kent appointed me guardian, as Mrs. Morley refused to be
legally bound. I am sure I did my duty," added the little man, with
sudden heat.

"I am sure you did. You behaved like a father to her, and I am sorry she
did not live to repay you." Giles thought for a moment or so, then
added, "I was engaged to Daisy, and I am rich. Let me help you, Morley."

"No, thanks. It is good of you to suggest such a thing, but I am a very
independent man. If this Franklin will do anything, I don't mind
accepting a thousand from him; otherwise--no, Ware."

Giles admired the bluff way in which Morley said this. He knew well that
for a long time Morley and his wife had done all they could for Daisy
Kent, and that both of them deserved great praise. He suggested that
Mrs. Morley might be induced----

"No," interrupted his visitor, "my wife wants nothing. She has her own
money, and a