"If you think I had anything to do with it, Mrs. Oakley," said John, "you are mistaken. I only reached Hampton last evening, summoned by Squire Selwyn."
"I accused you of nothing," said Mrs. Oakley, but she was greatly surprised.
"As to who found the will, Mrs. Oakley," said Squire Selwyn, composedly, "I will only suggest that your son Benjamin can probably throw more light on this matter than any one else."
"Benjamin!" exclaimed Mrs. Oakley, quickly.
"Yes, I have reason to think he can give you all the information you desire."
Mrs. Oakley compressed her lips closely. Was it possible that Ben had found the will and deliberately carried it to Squire Selwyn? Could he have sold her and his own interests to the enemy? No doubt she argued, Squire Selwyn had bribed him at a heavy price to deliver it up.
"I don't understand this," she said. "If Benjamin found the will, he should have brought it to me."
"As, of course, you would have placed it in my hands, there is no harm done," said the lawyer, watching keenly the face that showed some discomposure as he spoke. "But you can settle that with Ben. I will merely read you the provisions of the will informally, previous to presenting it for probate."
To this Mrs. Oakley could make no objection, though she was fully acquainted with the document to be read.
It provided that the home estate, consisting of the family mansion, and lands situated in the town of Hampton, valued together at twenty thousand dollars, should go to John. Of the remaining estate, invested in stocks and bonds, valued at forty thousand dollars, one half was to go to John, and the remaining half to Mrs. Oakley. Squire Selwyn was appointed executor, and guardian of John, until the latter should attain his majority.