The Argosy — page 107: what you’re looking at

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

Edina. 95 Oh, that is true enough. And the Major has got an attack, you say ? Misfortunes never come alone.” “May I ask how the fact—that there’s a later will—has come to your knowledge?” Mr. Street turned over a few of the papers on the table, and took up a letter from amidst them. “TI had this note from my brother the banker ‘yesterday afternoon,” he said, running his eyes over it. “It tells me that a will, of later date than the one by which Major Raynor holds Eagles’ Nest, has been produced, leaving the estate to Mr. George Atkinson. George Atkinson is on his homeward voyage now from Australia, to take possession of the property.” “What a mercy if the ship should go down with him!” thought Frank in his dismay, as the faint remnant of hope died out. “ You—I presume you consider that this unpleasant report may be relied on then, Mr. Street?” “Certainly it may. My brother is one of the most cautious men living; he would not have written in this decisive way”—touching the note with his finger—“had there existed any doubt. Most likely he has heard from George Atkinson himself. Atkinson is virtually his partner, you know, and head of the bank. I had thought my brother would, perhaps, call here last night, but he did not. Some- thing or other has come to my ankle, and I can’t get out.” “ Then—this note from Mr. Edwin Street is all the information you as yet possess?” “That’s all. But I know it is to be relied on. I thought it better to write at once and acquaint the Major: he will have little time, as it is, to prepare for the change and see what can be done.” Frank rose. “TI will go down and question Mr. Edwin Street,” he said. “I suppose I am at liberty to do so?” “Oh, quite at liberty,” was the reply. ‘ He no doubt wrote to me with the view that I should Prepare your family, Mr. Raynor. You will find him at the bank.” The banker received Frank coldly 3 he seemed to be just the same hard, ungenial, self-contained kind of man that his brother was. Harder, in fact. This was indeed his general manner: but somehow Frank took up the idea that he had a dislike to the name of Raynor. “TI beg to refer you to Callard and Prestleigh, Mr. Atkinson’s solicitors,” spoke the banker to Frank, as soon as the latter entered on his business. “They will be able to afford you every necessary information.” “But won’t you tell me how it has all come about?” cried Frank, his genial manner presenting a contrast to that of the banker. “If Mrs. Atkinson did make a later will, where has the will been all this while? Why should it turn up at a twelvemonth’s end, and- ‘Not.at the time of her death?” comicbooks.com-