AIT UNEXPECTED DISCOVERY 373 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, an 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 marriagesettlement 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. How may I ask how you are situated with regard to money? I have sufficient confidence in the justice of your claim to advance any sum for your immediate wants.”

Thank you, sir! I am in no need of any advance. My mother’s savings amounted to five hundred pounds, of which I only drew fifty to buy my outfit when I went up to the