Part 48 (1/2)
”All right, Ben.”
”You are very kind to an old man; what did you say your name was?”
”Ben Bradford.”
”Have you parents living?”
”No, sir, only an aunt and cousin.”
”Are they well off?”
”Not very, sir. They got along very comfortably till lately, but now something has happened which makes me feel anxious. But I won't trouble you with it, sir.”
”Tell me about it; I would like to hear it.”
”For five years my aunt has occupied a small house, rent free. It belonged to her uncle. She has just got a letter saying that her uncle is dead, and demanding payment of rent for the last five years.”
”What are you going to do about it?”
”I have written to the lawyer, telling him on what terms my aunt occupied her house--that is, rent free, on condition that she paid the taxes regularly.”
”What was the uncle's name? I am a little acquainted in Montreal.
Perhaps I may have heard it.”
”His name was Matthew Baldwin.”
”I have heard of him. He was a miserly old man.”
”I don't know about that,” said Ben.
”It seems to me you ought to look after the matter. Why don't you go to Montreal?”
”I can't spare the time or money,” answered Ben. ”Besides, we should certainly have heard of it if any property had been coming to us. I have written to the lawyer, and expect to hear something soon.”
When they reached the boarding-house on Warren Avenue the old man appeared pleased with the vacant room. He haggled a little about the terms, but finally agreed to take it at the price set by Mrs.
Draper. He gave his name as Marcus Benton, and too immediate possession.
Chapter x.x.xIII
Ben Receives a Commission
In due time a letter came from Montreal. It was brief and not overcourteous. From it Ben learned that Mr. Baldwin had been dead for three weeks, and that all his property was left to a young man who claimed to be a distant relative. The name of the heir was John Tremlett. The letter concluded: ”I can find nothing in the papers of the deceased confirming your statement that your aunt was allowed to occupy her house rent free. If you hold any proof of your a.s.sertions, you may forward it. Otherwise Mr. Tremlett will insist upon his claim.”
This letter reached Ben on a Friday. It naturally caused him anxiety.
He obtained permission to go to Milltown Sat.u.r.day afternoon and spend Sunday. He desired himself to inst.i.tute a search for the letter of which his aunt had spoken.
His aunt received him in tearful despondency.