“My dear Uncle:
“I have reached Geneva and found that it was indeed true about my poor cousin’s death. I have also had a great surprise. Edwin died more than a year since, and the boy who came to your house with Maria was only an adopted son whom she had put in his place. The boy is a fine, manly fellow, and had no idea that he was being used to defeat the ends of justice. So far as I remember Edwin, this boy is much his superior, and I should be pleased to feel that he was a relative. Perhaps Maria has provided for him by will. She left a letter which he opened after her death, which revealed to him for the first time the object of his adoption. And now comes something truly remarkable. This Ben Bruce, for that is his real name, is well acquainted with the Mordaunts, who are living in Brooklyn, and he speaks very highly of Frank, a boy of his own age, who has been reduced to selling papers for a living. I don’t know why his mother has steadfastly kept aloof from her relatives in New York, but I think it is on account of her pride. I have sent them a hundred dollars to tide them over till they come into possession of the income which will now fall to them.
“I shall stay as brief a time in Paris as I can, and will then sail for New York with Ben. I mean to help him if he is not provided for in my cousin’s will.”
On arriving in Paris Basil Wentworth went at once to the banking house of John Munroe & Co. and gave notice of Mrs. Harcourt’s death. The will was handed to him, and he opened it. He read it through attentively and then turned to Ben.
“Ben,” he said, “you are left the sole heir to Mrs. Harcourt’s property.”
Ben looked the surprise which he felt.
“I had no idea of this,” he said. “Will it be right for me to accept it, not being a relative?”
“Mrs. Harcourt’s relatives are well provided for. They inherit Edwin’s income, which was ten thousand dollars a year. I am sure that no one will object to your inheritance. I must tell you, however, that my poor cousin was by no means rich. Probably she will not leave more than forty thousand dollars.”
“That seems a great deal to me, but she wished the last year’s income which she received wrongfully for her son to be repaid.”
“That will make ten thousand dollars. My share of that will be half, and I will excuse you from paying it. The half that goes to the Mordaunts may be repaid.”
“I shall be glad, Mr. Wentworth, if you will act as my guardian. You have shown yourself such a generous friend that I am sure I could make no better selection.”
“My dear boy,” said Basil warmly, “I will accept the appointment, and you may be sure, that I will protect your interests. You are a fortunate boy.”