"But to whom?"
"That is precisely what I have been asking of myself."
"This will revoking the former disposition, is fully forty years old; but it has never been recorded," said Mr. Hook.
"And none know of its existence, save ourselves," added Mr. Crook suggestively; "and it is a dreadful thing to lose so fine an estate—so noble a heritage—by one stroke of a pen!"
"But I quite agree with the young Laird, that some attempt should be made to do justice, and endeavour to trace out Mr. Philip or his heirs," said Mr. Hook, seeing in futurity a pyramid of three-and-fourpences and six-and-eightpences.
"To advertise for the lost one would degrade my father's name!" exclaimed Roland passionately.
"How else are we to go about it, my dear sir?" asked Mr. Hook, pulling his nether lip reflectively; "but enquiries might be made——"
"Where?"
"Well—a rumour did go about at one time that your uncle had married in Jamaica, Mexico, or somewhere."
"I never heard of it."