"Yes. Sometimes I wonder if he wasn't."
"Tell me, Bradley: Did you know this Phillips man when he was skipper of the singin' school here in Bayport? Before he married Lobelia?"
"No. Nor I didn't meet him when he and his wife were on here the last time. I was up in the State House serving out my two terms as county representative."
"I see.... Oh! You spoke of Lobelia's leavin' another legacy. Who was that to? If it isn't a secret."
"It is, so far. But it won't be very long. She left five thousand, in cash and in Judge Knowles's care, for Cordelia Berry over here at the Harbor. She and Lobelia were close friends, you know. Cordelia is to have it free and clear, but I am to invest it for her. She doesn't know her good luck yet. I am going over now to tell her about it.... Oh, by the way, Cap'n: Judge Knowles's nephew, the man from California, is expecting to reach Bayport next Sunday. He can't stay out a little while, and so I shall have to hurry up that will and the business connected with it. Can you come over to my office Monday about ten?"
"Why, I suppose likely I could, but what do you want me for?"
"I don't, except in the general way of always wanting to see you, Cap'n. But Judge Knowles wanted you especially."
"He did! Wanted me?"
"Yes. Seems so. He left a memorandum of those he wanted on hand when his will was read. You are one, and Elizabeth Berry is another. Will you come?"
"Why—why, yes, I suppose so. But what in the world——"