“What I possess would be the balance at the bank, the house in town, and everything contained in and about Tretton, as to which I should wish that the will should be very explicit in making it understood that every conceivable item of property is to belong to Mountjoy.  I know the strength of an entail, and not for worlds would I venture to meddle with anything so holy.”  There came a grin of satisfaction over his face as he uttered these words, and his scribe was utterly unable to keep from laughing.  “But as Augustus must have the acres, let him have them bare.”

“Underscore that word, if you please;” and the word was underscored.  “If I had time I would have every tree about the place cut down.”

“I don’t think you could under the entail,” said Merton.

“I would use up every stick in building the farmers’ barns and mending the farmers’ gates, and I would cover an acre just in front of the house with a huge conservatory.  I respect the law, my boy, and they would find it difficult to prove that I had gone beyond it.  But there is no time for that kind of finished revenge.”

Then he went on with the letter:  “You will understand what I mean.  I wish to divide my property so that Mountjoy may have everything that is not strictly entailed.  You will of course say that it will all go to the gambling-table.  It may go to the devil, so that Augustus does not have it.  But it need not go to the gambling-table.  If you would consent to come down to me once more we might possibly devise some scheme for saving it.  But whether we can do so or not, it is my request that my last will may be prepared in accordance with these instructions.

“Very faithfully yours,

“JOHN SCARBOROUGH.”

“And now for the other,” said Mr. Scarborough.

“Had you not better rest a bit?” asked Merton.

“No; this is a kind of work at which a man does not want to rest.  He is carried on by his own solicitudes and his own eagerness.  This will be very short, and when it is done then, perhaps, I may sleep.”

The second letter was as follows: 

“My dear Mountjoy,—­I think you are foolish in allowing yourself to be prevented from coming here by a sentiment.  But in truth, independently of the pleasure I should derive from your company, I wish you to be here on a matter of business which is of some importance to yourself.  I am about to make a new will; and although I am bound to pay every respect to the entail, and would not for worlds do anything in opposition to the law, still I may be enabled to do something for your benefit.  Your brother has kindly interfered for the payment of your creditors; and as all the outstanding bonds have been redeemed, you would now, by his generosity, be enabled to enjoy any property which might be left to you.  There are a few tables and chairs at my disposal, and a gem or two, and some odd volumes which perhaps you might like to possess.  I have written to Mr. Grey on the subject, and I would wish you to see him.  This you might do, whether you come here or not.  But I do not the less wish that you should come.