Grant's hand trembled as he took the carefully folded sheet from Brewster. A quick glance of despair passed between the two lawyers.
"Of course, you'll understand that this report is merely a synopsis of the expenditures. They are classified, however, and the receipts over there are arranged in such a way that Mr. Jones can very easily verify all the figures set out in the report. For instance, where it says 'cigars,' I have put down the total amount that went up in smoke. The receipts are to serve as an itemized statement, you know." Mr. Ripley took the paper from his partner's hand and, pulling himself together, read the report aloud. It was as follows:
NEW YORK, Sept. 23, 19—. To SWEARENGEN JONES, ESQ.
Executor under the will of the late James T. Sedgwick of Montana:
In pursuance of the terms of the aforesaid will and in accord with the instructions set forth by yourself as executor, I present my report of receipts and disbursements for the year in my life ending at midnight on Sept. 22. The accuracy of the figures set forth in this general statement may be established by referring to the receipts, which form a part of this report. There is not one penny of Edwin Peter Brewster's money in my possession, and I have no asset to mark its burial place. These figures are submitted for your most careful consideration.
ORIGINAL CAPITAL ........................... $1,000,000.00
"Lumber and Fuel" misfortune ................... 58,550.00
Prize-fight misjudged ........................... 1,000.00
Monte Carlo education .......................... 40,000.00
Race track errors ................................. 700.00
Sale of six terrier pups .......................... 150.00
Sale of furniture and personal effects ......... 40,500.00
Interest on funds once in hand ................. 19,140.00
Total amount to be disposed of ............. $1,160,040.00
DISBURSEMENTS.
Rent for apartments ........................... $23,000.00
Furnishing apartments .......................... 88,372.00
Three automobiles .............................. 21,000.00
Renting six automobiles ........................ 25,000.00
Amount lost to DeMille .......................... 1,000.00
Salaries ....................................... 25,650.00
Amount paid to men injured in auto accident .... 12,240.00
Amount lost in bank failure ................... 113,468.25
Amount lost on races ............................ 4,000.00
One glass screen ................................ 3,000.00
Christmas presents .............................. 7,211.00
Postage ......................................... 1,105.00
Cable and telegraph ............................. 3,253.00
Stationery ...................................... 2,400.00
Two Boston terriers ............................... 600.00
Amount lost to "hold-up men" ...................... 450.00
Amount lost on concert tour .................... 56,382.00
Amount lost through O. Harrison's speculation
(on my account) .............................. 60,000.00
One ball (in two sections) ..................... 60,000.00
Extra favors .................................... 6,000.00
One yacht cruise .............................. 212,309.50
One carnival .................................... 6,824.00
Cigars .......................................... 1,720.00
Drinks, chiefly for others ...................... 9,040.00
Clothing ........................................ 3,400.00
Rent of one villa .............................. 20,000.00
One courier ....................................... 500.00
Dinner parties ................................ 117,900.00
Suppers and luncheons .......................... 38,000.00
Theater parties and suppers ..................... 6,277.00
Hotel expenses ................................. 61,218.59
Railway and steamship fares .................... 31,274.81
For Newsboys' Home .............................. 5,000.00
Two opera performances ......................... 20,000.00
Repairs to "Flitter" ........................... 6,342.60
In tow from somewhere to Southampton ........... 50,000.00
Special train to Florida ....................... 1,000.00
Cottage in Florida ............................. 5,500.00
Medical attendance ............................. 3,100.00
Living expenses in Florida ..................... 8,900.00
Misappropriation of personal property by
servants ...................................... 3,580.00
Taxes on personal property ........................ 112.25
Sundries ........................................ 9,105.00
Household expenses ............................. 24,805.00
Total disbursements ........................ $1,160,040.00
BALANCE ON HAND ............................ $0,000,000.00
Respectfully submitted,
MONTGOMERY BREWSTER.
"It's rather broad, you see, gentlemen, but there are receipts for every dollar, barring some trifling incidentals. He may think I dissipated the fortune, but I defy him or any one else to prove that I have not had my money's worth. To tell you the truth, it has seemed like a hundred million. If any one should tell you that it is an easy matter to waste a million dollars, refer him to me. Last fall I weighed 180 pounds, yesterday I barely moved the beam at 140; last fall there was not a wrinkle in my face, nor did I have a white hair. You see the result of overwork, gentlemen. It will take an age to get back to where I was physically, but I think I can do it with the vacation that begins to-morrow. Incidentally, I'm going to be married to-morrow morning, just when I am poorer than I ever expect to be again. I still have a few dollars to spend and I must be about it. To-morrow I will account for what I spend this evening. It is now covered by the 'sundries' item, but I'll have the receipts to show, all right. See you to-morrow morning."
He was gone, eager to be with Peggy, afraid to discuss his report with the lawyers. Grant and Ripley shook their heads and sat silent for a long time after his departure.
"We ought to hear something definite before night," said Grant, but there was anxiety in his voice.