“It is, indeed! It is no less than a claim for the whole of your late brother’s estate.”
“Who is the claimant?” asked Allan Roscoe, perturbed.
“Your nephew, Hector.”
“I have no nephew Hector. The boy called Hector Roscoe is an adopted son of my brother.”
“I know you so stated. He says he is prepared to prove that he is the lawful son of the late Mr. Roscoe.”
“He can’t prove it!” said Allan Roscoe, turning pale.
“He has brought positive proof from California, so he says.”
“Has he, then, returned?” asked Allan, his heart sinking.
“He is in the city, and expects us to meet him at two o’clock this afternoon, at the office of his lawyer, Mr. Parchment.”
Now, Mr. Parchment was one of the most celebrated lawyers at the New York bar, and the fact that Hector had secured his services showed Allan Roscoe that the matter was indeed serious.