From Mr. Loscombe to Mrs. Noel Vanstone.

“Lincoln’s Inn Fields, May 24th.

“DEAR MADAM—­After a whole fortnight’s search—­conducted, I am bound to admit, with the most conscientious and unrelaxing care—­no such document as the Secret Trust has been found among the papers left at St. Crux by the late Admiral Bartram.

“Under these circumstances, the executors have decided on acting under the only recognizable authority which they have to guide them—­the admiral’s own will.  This document (executed some years since) bequeaths the whole of his estate, both real and personal (that is to say, all the lands he possesses, and all the money he possesses, at the time of his death), to his nephew.  The will is plain, and the result is inevitable.  Your husband’s fortune is lost to you from this moment.  Mr. Georg e Bartram legally inherits it, as he legally inherits the house and estate of St. Crux.

“I make no comment upon this extraordinary close to the proceedings.  The Trust may have been destroyed, or the Trust may be hidden in some place of concealment inaccessible to discovery.  Either way, it is, in my opinion, impossible to found any valid legal declaration on a knowledge of the document so fragmentary and so incomplete as the knowledge which you possess.  If other lawyers differ from me on this point, by all means consult them.  I have devoted money enough and time enough to the unfortunate attempt to assert your interests; and my connection with the matter must, from this moment, be considered at an end.

“Your obedient servant,

“JOHN LOSCOMBE.”

IX.

From Mrs. Ruddock (Lodging-house Keeper) to Mr. Loscombe.

“Park Terrace, St. John’s Wood, June 2d.

“SIR—­Having, by Mrs. Noel Vanstone’s directions, taken letters for her to the post, addressed to you—­and knowing no one else to apply to—­I beg to inquire whether you are acquainted with any of her friends; for I think it right that they should be stirred up to take some steps about her.

“Mrs. Vanstone first came to me in November last, when she and her maid occupied my apartments.  On that occasion, and again on this, she has given me no cause to complain of her.  She has behaved like a lady, and paid me my due.  I am writing, as a mother of a family, under a sense of responsibility—­I am not writing with an interested motive.

“After proper warning given, Mrs. Vanstone (who is now quite alone) leaves me to-morrow.  She has not concealed from me that her circumstances are fallen very low, and that she cannot afford to remain in my house.  This is all she has told me—­I know nothing of where she is going, or what she means to do next.  But I have every reason to believe she desires to destroy all traces by which she might be found, after leaving this place—­for I discovered her in tears yesterday, burning letters which were doubtless letters from her friends.  In looks and conduct she has altered most shockingly in the last week.  I believe there is some dreadful trouble on her mind; and I am afraid, from what I see of her, that she is on the eve of a serious illness.  It is very sad to see such a young woman so utterly deserted and friendless as she is now.