by the death of the
last Marquis, who would be your uncle. We have been the more anxious to
do so, as we understand the next claimant is a young man of extravagant
habits, and in no way worthy to succeed to the title."

"I will return in an hour and a half, sir," Gregory said, rising. "I
may say that the contents of this pocketbook, although intensely
interesting to myself, as a record of my father, do not bear upon the
title. They are a simple record of his life, from the time when the
army of Hicks Pasha was destroyed, to the date of his own murder at
Hebbeh. The last entry was made before he landed. I mention this, as it
may save you time in going through the papers."

Gregory went out, and spent the time in watching the wonderful flow of
traffic, and gazing into the shops; and when he returned to the office,
he was at once shown in. Mr. Tufton rose, and shook him warmly by the
hand.

"I consider these documents to be absolutely conclusive, my lord," he
said. "The letters to your grandfather, uncle, and aunts are conclusive
as to his identity; and that of your mother, strengthened by the two
affidavits, is equally conclusive as to your being his son. I will take
the necessary measures to lay these papers before the court, which has
several times had the matter in hand, and to obtain a declaration that
you have indisputably proved yourself to be the son of the late Gregory
Hilliard Hartley, and therefore entitled to the title and estates, with
all accumulations, of the Marquis of Langdale."

"Thank you very much, sir! I will leave the matter entirely in your
hands. Can you tell me the address of my aunts? As you will have seen,
by my father's letter, he believed implicitly in their affection for
him."

"Their address is, The Manor House, Wimperton, Tavistock, Devon. They
retired there at the accession of their brother to the title. It has
been used as a dower house in the family for many years; and, pending
the search for your father, I obtained permission for them to continue
to reside there. I was not obliged to ask for an allowance for them, as
they had an income, under their mother's marriage settlement,
sufficient for them to live there in comfort.

"I will not give you the letter addressed to them, as I wish to show
the original in court; but I will have a copy made for you, at once,
and I will attest it.

"Now, may I ask how you are situated, with regard to money? I have
sufficient confidence in the ju