‘This is a very sad affair,’ said the lawyer,—­’sad and sudden.  Mr. Graham was an old man, but he has always been so robust, he appeared to have the prospect of still longer life.  It will make a great change here.’

‘It will, sir.’  Walter placed a chair for him, and a look of genuine relief was visible on his face.  ’I am very glad you have come up.  I was sitting here thinking over things.  It is a very strange case.’

’You know something, I presume, of this business, whether it was a paying concern or not?’ said the lawyer keenly.

’It is a large business done in a small way, sir,—­a worrying, unsatisfactory kind of business, I know that much; but my master always kept his books himself, and I had no means of knowing whether it really paid or not.  I know there were bad debts—­a lot of them; but I am quite ignorant of the state of affairs.  I have only one hope, sir, which I trust will not be disappointed’—­

‘Well?’ inquired the lawyer steadily, when the young man stopped hesitatingly.

’That there will be something left for Miss Gladys.  That has troubled me ever since the master took ill.’

‘You may set your mind at rest, then.  Miss Graham will be a rich woman.’

Walter looked incredulous at these words.

‘A rich woman?’ he repeated,—­’a rich woman?  Oh, I am glad of it!’

His face flushed, his eye shone, with the intensity of his emotion.  He was very young, but these signs betrayed an interest in the fate of Gladys Graham which stirred a vague pity in the lawyer’s heart.

’Yes, a rich woman; and you are not forgotten.  There is a will, which, however, Miss Graham desires shall not be read till after the funeral; but there is no harm in telling you a part of its contents which concerns you.  Mr. Graham had the very highest opinion of your character and ability, and though he may not have seemed very appreciative in life, he has not forgotten to mark substantially his approval.  You are left absolutely in control of this business, with the power to make of it what you will, and there is a legacy of five hundred pounds to enable you to carry it on.’

Walter became quite pale, and began to tremble, though he was not given to such exhibitions of nervousness.

‘Oh, sir, there must be some mistake, surely,’ he said quickly.  ’It cannot be true.’

’It is quite true, and I congratulate you, and wish you every success.  There are very few young men in similar circumstances who have such an opportunity given them.  I hope you will be guided to use both means and opportunity for the best possible end.  I shall be glad to be of any service to you at any time.  Do not scruple to ask me.  I mean what I say.’

‘You are very kind.’

They were commonplace words, but spoken with an earnest sincerity which indicated a deeper feeling.

Mr. Fordyce looked round the large dingy warehouse with a slightly puzzled air.