CHAPTER XXVI.

As my profession kept me going about all the while, I had opportunities for observing the movements of other people.  The day following the meeting referred to in the last chapter, I saw Dewey, the Judge, and the Squire together several times, and always in earnest talk.  As I came home, towards evening, I saw them all entering Mr. Dewey’s residence.  It was plain that there was trouble in the camp.

On the next day, Mr. Dewey left town.  I noticed him going into a car at the depot.  When the time came for our meeting, a postponement was asked for.  I felt like demurring, but Mr. Wallingford readily consented.

“Give them a little more time,” said he, as we walked away from Judge Bigelow’s office.  “It will come out as we desired.  The easiest way for them to arrange with us, is to let us have the Allen House property, which is owned by the firm of which Dewey is a member; and it is with a view to this, I have no doubt, that he is now in New York.”

So we waited a few days longer.  The return of Mr. Dewey took place in the course of a week, when I received a note from Judge Bigelow, asking a private interview.  I found him and his nephew alone.  They received me in a pleasant, affable way; and the Judge said that he wished to have a little talk with me before another formal meeting of the executors.  I answered that it would give me pleasure to confer with him; though I could neither accept nor propose any thing, standing alone.

“It is not with a view to that, Doctor,” replied the Judge, his countenance putting on a shade of gravity that nearly obliterated the smiles with which he at first received me.  “But I thought it might help to a better issue, if two of the parties representing the opposite interests in this case were to have a little informal conversation.”

“I am ready to hear any thing you have to say, Judge, and shall be very happy if I can aid, in any thing, the satisfactory adjustment of these matters.”  My answer, I thought, appeared to give him confidence, and he said—­

“Without doubt you can aid, Doctor.  The position in which Squire Floyd and myself find ourselves placed, is one of some embarrassment.  In making investments of the property which came into our hands, we had reference, of course, to its security and productiveness; at the same time looking to a period, still some years in advance, when our trust would cease, and the property pass in due course to the heir-at-law.  To realize on these investments now, would be to damage the interests of others; and I cannot feel that it would be right for you to urge this.  The discovery of a new will, bearing a later date, is a thing wholly unexpected.  We had no warning to prepare for the summary action growing out of its appearance, and, as I have just intimated, cannot proceed without injury to others.”

“I do not believe,” said Mr. Dewey, “that the court, if the case was fairly stated, would require this speedy settlement of the trust.  And it is my advice, that the whole matter be referred back for a new award as to time.  A year longer should be conceded to the executors under the old will.”