The Dugdale Millions — page 156: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

146 THE DUGDALE MILLIONS. Dugdale deceased, and the grandson of Samuel Dug- dale deceased, the Dugdale estate becomes his. ‘‘Now, having done this, your attitude toward the young man should change,’’ continued the lawyer. “You have a duty to perform to your daughter. You must insist, both in the interest of your daughter and of justice, that the identity of the young man should be so well established, and the proof of his claim to the estate made so strong, that it 1s beyond question that the estate is really going into the hands of a grandson of Samuel Dugdale. You must demand proof. And it is no part of your duty to assist him to proof. You have done your whole duty, when you have hunted him up and asked him for proof.’’ “It stems to*me, sir,” said Dick deferentially, “that any other course than that pointed out by Mr. Stanton would be unjust to Miss Hetlow. And now, when I say without reservation that there seems to be no escape from the conclusion that young Dugdale has been found, I may say that an impression, for which strive as I may I can find no reason, was made upon me that there is—I cannot say wrong, for that would be too strong—well, that all was not satisfactory. I think there should be a rigid investigation before yielding to the irrevocable conclusion that Harold Pierson is young Dugdale.”’ ‘What course would you suggest?’’ inquired Mr, Hetlow of Mr. Stanton. ‘*The first thing I should do would be to communti- cate the facts Mason has presented, to your family solicitor in London, with the request that he should either himself come to this country, or send someone qualified to act, in protection of the estate, and exam- ine the proof presented in behalf of Harold Pierson, as we must call him until he has proved himself to be Dugdale,’’ said Mr. Stanton. ‘‘I should think it would be a good thing for you to ask young Pierson Comicboolkk<s C@ 3