"There is a large fortune coming to both of us. You shall have your full share of it—providing you will do as I wish."
"And what do you wish?"
"Well, in the first place, I wish you to let the world know that you are fully satisfied that I am your father."
"And after that?"
"After that I will resign my commission as a surgeon in the Confederate army and take the necessary steps to claim the fortune which awaits us."
"Why haven't you claimed the fortune before?"
"Because I had to prove that my wife had been drowned, and had also to prove that you were either alive or dead. Had you been dead, I could have taken the fortune for my own. But you are not dead, and so I am willing you shall have your share."
"Where is this fortune?"
"Never mind about that now. I will give you my word that, if all goes well, you shall have your full share."
"And how much will that be?"