"So I understood. Did you bring the note with you?"
Hall opened his pocket-book, and produced the note. The lawyer took it, and scanned it closely.
"Do you know what led Mr. Berry to borrow this amount?" asked the lawyer.
"He wanted to put it into his business."
"Did he extend his business then? He might have done it to a considerable extent with that sum."
"No, I believe not," said Hall, hesitating.
"But I thought he borrowed the money with that object."
"The truth is," said Hall, after a pause, "he was owing parties in Boston for a considerable portion of his stock, and it was to pay off this sum that he borrowed the money."
"I suppose you are aware, Mr. Hall, that this claim will sweep away two-thirds of Mr. Berry's estate?"
"I am sorry," said Hall, hesitating. "I didn't know but he left more."