'Yes—but not in Shafto's name. The document was mutilated and without the baptismal certificate, of which I have got this copy from the Rev. Mr. Paul Pentreath. The name in both is, as you see,' added Mr. Kippilaw, laying the document on the table, 'Florian, only son of the Hon. Lennard Melfort (otherwise MacIan) and Flora, his wife—Florian, called so after her.'
'You have seen this young man?'
'Yes—once in this room, and I was struck with his likeness to Lennard. He is dark, Shafto fair. The true heir has a peculiar mark on his right arm, says Madelon Galbraith, his nurse. Here is a letter from a doctor of the regiment stating that Florian has such a mark, which Shafto has not; and mother-marks, as they are called, never change, like the two marks of the famous "Claimant."
'I cannot realize it all—that we have been so befooled!' exclaimed Lord Fettercairn, walking up and down the room.
'But you must; it will come home to you soon enough.'
'Egad, so far as bills and debts go, it has come home to me sharply enough already. It is a terrible story—a startling one.'
'Few families have stories like it.'
'And one does not wish such in one's own experience, Kippilaw. It is difficult of belief—monstrous, Kippilaw!'
'Monstrous, indeed, my Lord Fettercairn!' chimed in Mr. Kippilaw, who then proceeded to unfold a terrible tale of the results of Shafto's periodical visits to Edinburgh and London—his bills and post-obits with the money-lenders, who would all be 'diddled' now, as he proved not to be the heir at all; and though last, not least, his late disgraceful affair of the loaded die, and the fracas with Major Garallan.
'Garallan! that old woman Drumshoddy's nephew—whew!' His lordship perspired with pure vexation. 'I have to thank you, however, for finding out the true heir at last.'