Nobody was left under the oak but Grayson, the major and Byloe, who was resolved to solve the mystery of the will.
"I s'pose the jedge attended to his earthly affairs before he went off, Colonel Grayson?" he said.
Grayson nodded.
"Will witnessed, signed—all correct?"
"Yes."
Byloe gave a dolorous cough: "Folks are talkin' a good deal about Dave Cabarreux as the heir. Dave's the next of kin."
Grayson pushed the ashes into his pipe in imperturbable silence.
"I was suggestin' that Boyer had a chance—Governor Boyer of Iowy: Sam hyar'd prefer him. Ef Dave gits the proputty, he'll take somethin' else that Dave's set his heart on, eh?" chuckling. "Sam knows Boyer."
The lawyer looked up quickly. He said nothing, but Byloe noted the glance. "Boyer is the man!" he thought, and hurried off to tell the news.
When he was gone Mr. Grayson turned to the major: "Do you really know this Boyer, Fetridge? Could you find him if he was wanted?"