"Mr. Bartholomew Whittingham had neither wife nor children, and some years since it was his intention to leave all his property to his nephew. The young man, however, offended his uncle, and the old gentleman thereupon informed his nephew that he had destroyed the will he had made in his favour, and that Mr. Basil Whittingham might consider himself disinherited. Do you understand it thus far?"
"It is perfectly clear, sir."
"The relations between the uncle and his nephew were completely broken off. Mr. Basil Whittingham--who had some private fortune of his own, but had got rid of it--being disappointed in his expectations, left England for Australia, where he resided for a considerable time."
"For how many years shall we say, sir."
"Five or six. When he was near his end the uncle relented of his decision, and made another will--I am supposing that he really destroyed the first, which may or may not have been the case--by which his original intention was carried out, and his nephew was constituted sole heir to the property."
"Good."
"This property, I believe, was not in real estate, but in cash and securities which were easily convertible. The knowledge of his kindness reached the nephew's ears in Australia, and he returned home and took possession of the fortune."
"Very natural."
"I wish these details to be verified, or otherwise, Mr. Philpott."
"I undertake to do so, sir."