n be found by the time he is ready to receive it."

"Can be found! I don't comprehend you, Mr. Wallingford? Do you mean to
question the integrity of the men who are executors to the estate?"

"No. But, they have embarked in the same vessel with an unscrupulous
villain--so I regard Ralph Dewey--and have, as far as I can see, given
the rudder into his hands. If he do not wreck them on some dangerous
coast, or sunken rock, it will be more from good fortune than anything
else."

"He is partner in a very wealthy firm," said I.

"The standing of Floyd, Lawson, Lee & Co., is, you know, undoubted. He
can't wreck out friends Bigelow and Floyd, without ruining them also."

"I was in New York a few months ago, on business," Mr. Wallingford
replied, "and it so happened, that I heard the firm of which Dewey is a
partner spoken of. Among other remarks, was this: 'They are thought to
be very much extended.'"

"What is the meaning of that?" asked Mrs. Wallingford.

"It is understood in business circles," replied her husband, "to mean,
that a house is doing too much business for the amount of capital
employed, and that it has issued, in consequence, a large amount of
paper. Any very heavy losses to a firm in this condition might prove
disastrous."

"Too much extended?" said I, thoughtfully, some new impressions forming
themselves in my mind.

"Yes, that was the opinion held by the individual I refer to; and he was
not one to speak carelessly on so grave a matter."

"If the house of Floyd, Lawson, Lee, & Co. should go down," I remarked,
"there will be sad work in S----."

"There will, without any doubt," replied Mr. Wallingford.

"The executors to the Allen estate might find themselves in a most
unfortunate position," said I.

"Such a position as I would not be in, for all the world. Any thing but
dishonor!"

"How dishonor?" asked Constance.

"The whole estate would be, I fear, involved."

"They gave security," said I.

"But the sureties are not worth a tenth part of the sum for which they
stand responsible. The court acted with a singular want of discretion in
appointing them."

"You don't mean to have us infer that Judge Bigelow and Squire Floyd
have used the funds of this estate for their own purposes, to any great
extent?"

"I would not care to say this out of doors, Doctor, but that is just my
opinion of the matter as it now stands. Dewey is guardian to the heir,
and would favor, rather than oppose, such a u