"How can I live till then?" asked Tremlett. "Can't he pay it sooner? I have but a dollar left."
"Sell some of your jewelry, that diamond ring, for instance. It will maintain you till the money is payable."
John Tremlett left the office crestfallen, and cursing his foolish prodigality, which had lost him a fine fortune.
"What are your plans, Mr. Baldwin?" asked the lawyer. "Shall you remain in Montreal?"
"No, Mr. Brief; there is nothing to keep me here now. I shall make my home in the States. This boy I have tested and found to be true gold. He will not deceive me as John Tremlett has. With him and his aunt I propose to make my home for the little time I have left."
"A very fine boy!" said Mr. Brief, regarding Ben in quite a different light now that he was indirectly acknowledged to be a rich man's heir.
"I shall leave you to manage my property here, Mr. Brief, for the present at least. You will transmit the income to me as it accrues."
"You shall not repent your confidence, sir," said the lawyer. "How soon do you leave the city?"
"To-morrow. Will that suit you, Ben?"
"Oh, yes, Uncle Matthew."