This was Graham. Ella declined to guess.
"Don't be so tiresome, Madge; tell us what it is?"
"Mr. Graham is right--it is a legal document. It's a will, the will of Thomas Ossington. At least I believe it is. If you'll give me breathing space I'll read it to you every word."
She drew herself away from them. When she was a little relieved of their too pressing importunities, she unfolded the paper slowly--with dramatic impressiveness.
"Listen--to a voice from the grave."
She read to them the contents of the document, in a voice which was a trifle shaky:--
"I give and bequeath, absolutely, this house, called Clover Cottage, which is my house, and all else in the world which at present is, or, in time to come, shall become my property, to the person who finds my fortune, which is hidden in this house, whoever the finder may chance to be.
"I desire that the said finder shall be the sole heir to all my worldly goods, and shall be at liberty to make such use of them as he or she may choose.
"I do this because I have no one else to whom to leave that of which I am possessed.
"I have neither kith nor kin--nor friend.