"Is it about me?"
"Yes. The long and short of it is that there is an English estate, bringing in two thousand pounds rental, that of right belongs to you."
"To me—an estate of two thousand pounds a year?" exclaimed Tony, in astonishment.
"Yes; the party who owns it pays me an income as hush money. I have only to say the word, and the estate will be yours, Tony."
"Say the word, Rudolph, and you shall have the same income," entreated Tony. "It isn't the money I so much care for, but I want to know who I am. I want to be restored to my rightful place in society. Is my mother living?"
"No."
"Nor my father?"
"No."
Tony looked sober.
"Then I should not care so much for the money. Still it ought to be mine."