"Favor me with an answer," replied the attorney, with admirable sang-froid, as he drew from his pocket a cigar-case, and, taking therefrom a cigar, proceeded to light it with a patent vesuvian. Politely tendering the case to Jaspar, who rudely declined the courtesy, he continued, "It is necessary to our further progress that I have this information."
"Well, perhaps he was worth four or five hundred thousand. What then?" replied Jaspar, doggedly.
"No more? Surely, you forget. His city property was worth more than double that sum."
"No more, by Heavens!" said Jaspar.
"Then, my dear sir, I fear you are a ruined man."
"Sir!" and Jaspar started bolt upright.
"See if you cannot think of something more," said De Guy, calmly.
"He might possibly have left more."
"Haven't you the schedule? Pray allow me to look at it;" and the attorney rose and approached the secretary. With the ease of one perfectly at home, and acquainted with every locality, he opened the drawer which contained the business papers of the estate.
"What are you about, sir? You are impudent!"