free. It
belonged to her uncle. She has just got a letter saying that her uncle
is dead, and demanding payment of rent for the last five years."

"What are you going to do about it?"

"I have written to the lawyer, telling him on what terms my aunt
occupied her house--that is, rent free, on condition that she paid the
taxes regularly."

"What was the uncle's name? I am a little acquainted in Montreal.
Perhaps I may have heard it."

"His name was Matthew Baldwin."

"I have heard of him. He was a miserly old man."

"I don't know about that," said Ben.

"It seems to me you ought to look after the matter. Why don't you
go to Montreal?"

"I can't spare the time or money," answered Ben. "Besides, we
should certainly have heard of it if any property had been
coming to us. I have written to the lawyer, and expect to hear
something soon."

When they reached the boarding-house on Warren Avenue the old
man appeared pleased with the vacant room. He haggled a little
about the terms, but finally agreed to take it at the price set by Mrs.
Draper. He gave his name as Marcus Benton, and too immediate
possession.

Chapter XXXIII

Ben Receives a Commission

In due time a letter came from Montreal. It was brief and not
overcourteous. From it Ben learned that Mr. Baldwin had been
dead for three weeks, and that all his property was left to a young
man who claimed to be a distant relative. The name of the heir was
John Tremlett. The letter concluded: "I can find nothing in the
papers of the deceased confirming your statement that your aunt
was allowed to occupy her house rent free. If you hold any proof
of your assertions, you may forward it. Otherwise Mr. Tremlett
will insist upon his claim."

This letter reached Ben on a Friday. It naturally caused him anxiety.
He obtained permission to go to Milltown Saturday afternoon and
spend Sunday. He desired himself to institute a search for the letter
of which his aunt had spoken.

His aunt received him in tearful despondency.

"Oh, what shall we do, Benjamin?" said the widow.

"First, we must search for that letter of Uncle Matthew's."

"I know I'm to blame, Benjamin. I have brought ruin upon you and
my poor, innocent Tony."

"You haven't ruined me, so you need not trouble yourself about that.
Even if the letter cannot be found, I guess we shall live through it."

They hunted high and low; but the letter was not to be found. Ben
was a good dea