u
attend to a little business for him."

"Certainly," responded the lawyer bruskly. "I shall be happy to wait
on him. Where is he staying?"

"At the Windsor."

"And you recommended me? I am much obliged to you. What is
the gentleman's name?"

"Marcus Benton."

"Can't say I ever heard of him Is he from Boston?"

"He comes from Boston," answered Ben evasively.

In the hope of securing a profitable client, Mr. Brief lost no time in
seeking the hotel.

"Remain here a moment," said Ben, as they entered the office, "and
I will let Mr. Benton know you are here."

"Certainly," said the lawyer complacently.

In five minutes Ben reappeared.

"Follow me, if you please, Mr. Brief," he said. "By the way, Mr.
Benton says he knows you."

"Mr. Benton knows me! It is strange I can't recall him," said Mr.
Brief, trying to recollect.

"I think you will remember when you see him."

"Possibly; but I have no recollection on any gentleman of that name."

Ben and his uncle--to give him a name not strictly warranted by
facts--occupied two rooms adjoining.

Ben ushered the lawyer into his own room, saying, "Mr. Brief,
you must prepare for a surprise."

When, however, the so-called Marcus Benton entered the room,
Mr. Brief sprang to his feet in great amazement.

"Can I believe my eyes?" he ejaculated.

"I think you can, Mr. Brief," said the old gentleman quietly,

"You are Matthew Baldwin."

"Precisely."

"And you are not dead?"

"Do I look as if I were?" asked Mr. Baldwin, smiling.

"What does it all mean?" asked Mr. Brief, bewildered.

"It means that I wished to try John Tremlett. I wished to ascertain
whether he were worthy to inherit my fortune. What is your
opinion?"

"My opinion," said the lawyer, "is that he would run through the
property in five years. I am disgusted with him."

"How does he spend his money?" inquired Mr. Baldwin.

"In every kind of extravagance and every form of dissipation. At
the rate he is going on, it is a question, in my mind, whether he or
the property would last longer."

"I got that idea from my young friend here, who, by the way, knew
of me only as Marcus Benton when he came first to see you."

"Of course you will resume possession of the property, Mr.
Baldwin?"

"Such is my intention."

"I can give it back into your hands entire, with the exception of
nine hundred dollars drawn by Tremlett, and your funeral
expenses."

"My funeral expense!" exclaimed M