"If I'm ever in a position to enjoy it," muttered Frank, startled by this good fortune. "Well, did Berry see my father?"
"He did. Mr. Lancaster was then beginning to suffer from leprosy, but the disease had not made much progress. When it began he sent you to the lady aunt, Mr. Frank."
"I was then two years of age, I remember. Go on."
"Berry came to your father, and threatened to follow you to England and kill you. Mr. Lancaster grew afraid, and made this will."
"Ah!" put in Eustace, "now we come to the interesting part. Why did he make such an extraordinary will, and place Frank in such danger?"
"It was the best he could do to save him from Berry's machinations, Mr. Jarman," said the negro, quietly. "Being a leper, he could not do much, as his disease was gaining on him, and he thought he would be sent away to some settlement by the authorities. That afterwards happened, but at the time I speak of he was still in 'Frisco."
"My poor father!" murmured Frank. "And what about Anchor?"
"Mr. Lancaster met him afterwards. But about the will. My master knew that Berry was a fascinating man with a strong influence. He thought that if he left the money to you, Berry might gain an influence over you, since you were so young, and get you to leave the money to him. Then he would murder you to become possessed of it."
"Berry would never have fascinated me," declared Frank. "I am not so weak-minded as that."
"You were young then, Mr. Frank, and Berry could have done much with you as a boy. He influenced Mr. Denham here."